So, you're sitting on the couch, maybe with a half-eaten bag of chips, and you're wondering what channel is the football on tonight. It’s Friday, January 16, 2026. The air is crisp, the NFL playoffs are looming like a giant, and the European leagues are in that frantic mid-winter sprint where everyone’s legs look a little heavy but the stakes are massive. Honestly, tracking down which streaming service or cable channel actually has the game is becoming a part-time job.
Don't worry. I’ve done the digging.
Tonight is a bit of a "bridge" night. We are sandwiched between the chaos of the NFL Wild Card round and the heavy-hitting Divisional matchups starting tomorrow. But if you think that means there's no "football" (of both the American and global varieties), you’ve got another thing coming. Between some sneaky-good Championship action in England and a massive Ligue 1 clash in France, your Friday night is looking pretty booked.
The Big One: Friday Night Lights and European Giants
If you’re looking for high-level soccer—basically the "other" football for those of us in the States—tonight has some genuine quality. The standout has to be over in France. PSG is taking on Lille, and it’s kicking off at 3:00 PM ET. If you’re in the US, you’re looking for beIN SPORTS or beIN SPORTS en Español.
You've probably noticed that beIN is a bit harder to find on standard cable packages these days. Most people I know just stream it through Fubo or Fanatiz. It's basically the only way to catch the Parisians without a satellite dish and a lot of patience.
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Meanwhile, over in Spain, we’ve got Espanyol vs. Girona. This one is a local derby feel, and it’s streaming exclusively on ESPN+ starting at 3:00 PM ET. Girona has been that "it" team for a while now, playing that beautiful, expansive football that makes you forget you’re watching a mid-table clash. If you have the Disney bundle, you're already set.
English Championship: The Grind Never Stops
For the purists who love the rainy, gritty atmosphere of the English second tier, West Bromwich Albion faces Middlesbrough tonight.
- Time: 3:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM UK
- US Channel: CBS Sports Network
- UK Channel: Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Football
This isn't just a random game. Both these teams are fighting for those precious playoff spots to get back to the Premier League. If you've never watched the Championship, it’s basically organized chaos. Expect tackles that would be illegal in most other sports and a crowd that sounds like they haven't slept in three days.
What About the NFL?
Here is the thing. There isn't a live NFL game tonight. I know, it's a bummer. After the Wild Card weekend we just had—with the Bears edging out the Packers in a thriller—we have to wait until Saturday for the Divisional Round to kick off.
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However, if you're looking for football on tonight in the sense of analysis and replays, NFL Network is basically running a 24-hour cycle of "How on earth did the Bills make it this far?"
Tomorrow is the real meat of the schedule. Here is what’s coming up so you can plan your snacks accordingly:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET on CBS/Paramount+)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET on FOX)
College Football: The Post-Bowl Lull
We are officially past the peak of Bowl Season. The CFP National Championship is set for Monday, January 19th. That means tonight is a bit quiet on the college front. Most of the players are either recovering or hitting the transfer portal like it's a Black Friday sale.
If you're desperate for that collegiate feel, Big Ten Network is doing their usual Friday night "Journey" series and some wrestling replays. It’s not a live game, but it's enough to keep the helmet-stripe withdrawal at bay for a few hours.
Quick Guide to Tonight’s Channels
Basically, here is your "Where to Watch" cheat sheet:
- PSG vs. Lille: beIN SPORTS (3:00 PM ET)
- Espanyol vs. Girona: ESPN+ (3:00 PM ET)
- West Brom vs. Middlesbrough: CBS Sports Network (3:00 PM ET)
- Monaco vs. Lorient: beIN SPORTS (1:00 PM ET)
How to Stream if You’re "Cord-Cutting"
If you’re like me and you haven't seen a cable box in five years, you’re relying on apps. For tonight, Fubo is probably your best bet because it carries both CBS Sports Network and beIN. Sling TV is a cheaper alternative, but you have to make sure you have the right "Blue" or "Orange" package plus the sports add-on to get everything.
Don't forget Peacock. While they don't have a live game tonight, they are the home for the Premier League, and tomorrow’s slate—including that massive Manchester Derby at 7:30 AM ET—will be all over that app.
Honestly, the hardest part of being a football fan in 2026 is just remembering your passwords.
Pro Tip: If you're trying to watch the Championship game from the UK, the Sky Sports+ app is actually surprisingly good now. They've fixed most of the lag issues that used to make the ball look like a teleporting pixel.
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Final Actionable Steps
- Check your subscriptions now: Don't wait until kickoff to realize your ESPN+ logged you out and you can't remember if you used your old college email.
- Set the DVR for tomorrow: The NFL Divisional games are going to be massive. If you're going to be out, make sure the box is set to record CBS and FOX.
- Download the "Live Football on TV" app: If you're a soccer fan, this is the gold standard for staying updated on late schedule changes.
- Check local listings: Sometimes regional sports networks (RSNs) pick up random college hoops or hockey on Friday nights that can scratch that competitive itch.
Get the remote ready. Tonight might be the "quiet before the storm," but between PSG and the Championship, there’s plenty of drama to go around.