The hunt for the Silver and Black is on. Honestly, if you're looking for the kickoff time or trying to figure out what channel is the Raiders game today, you've probably noticed something is a little off with the usual Sunday routine.
Here is the quick reality check: The Las Vegas Raiders are not playing a game today, January 15, 2026.
Their 2025-2026 season officially wrapped up on January 4th. It was a rough one. They ended the year with a 14-12 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, which sounds great on paper until you see the final record. They finished 3-14. Because of that, the Raiders did not qualify for the NFL playoffs this year.
Where to find Raiders coverage and the 2026 outlook
Even though there isn't a game on the tube today, the news cycle in Vegas is absolutely exploding. The team recently fired head coach Pete Carroll after just one season. If you're looking for Raiders content on your TV today, you're mostly going to find talking heads on NFL Network or ESPN debating who the next coach will be or how they’ll use the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft.
Typically, when the season is actually in flight, you'd find the Raiders on these usual suspects:
- CBS/Paramount+: This is the primary home for AFC teams. Most Sunday afternoon games live here.
- FOX: You'll see them here occasionally, especially for "cross-flex" games or matchups against NFC powerhouse teams.
- Prime Video: For those Thursday Night Football slots that everyone seems to have a love-hate relationship with.
- ESPN/ABC: Reserved for the bright lights of Monday Night Football.
If you happened to see a "Raiders" game listed on your guide for tonight, you’re likely seeing the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. They actually have a college basketball game tonight against Louisiana Tech. It’s an easy mix-up if you’re just glancing at a sports ticker. That game is streaming on ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m. ET.
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What channel is the Raiders game today? Why they aren't on the playoff schedule
The NFL Divisional Round is starting up this weekend, but the Raiders are firmly in "vacation and rebuild" mode. The 3-14 record put them at the bottom of the AFC West. While fans in Kansas City or Denver are looking for their playoff channels, Raiders fans are looking at draft boards.
It’s kinda wild to think about how much has changed in a year. Last season felt like a fever dream. Between the Geno Smith experiment at quarterback and the mid-season injuries to stars like Kolton Miller, the wheels just came off.
If you want to watch football today, you’re going to have to settle for highlights of past Raiders greats or switch over to the playoff previews. The actual NFL playoff games don't start until Saturday, January 17th.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season
Since the quest for what channel is the Raiders game today ended in a "not applicable," let's talk about when you will need your remote again. The 2026 schedule won't be officially released with times and channels until May, but we already know who they are playing.
Because they finished last in the division, they have a "fourth-place" schedule next year. This basically means they'll play the other basement-dwellers from the AFC South, AFC North, and NFC South. It's a silver lining. A weaker schedule usually means a faster path back to relevance.
You’ve got home games coming up at Allegiant Stadium against the Bills, Dolphins, Rams, and Seahawks, along with the usual divisional rivals. If they land a franchise QB with that first pick, those games are going to be back on primetime in no time.
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Actionable steps for Raiders fans
Since there’s no live game to catch, here is how you can stay prepared for the next time the Silver and Black take the field:
- Check the Coaching Search: Follow local Vegas insiders like Vincent Bonsignore or Hondo Carpenter. The "channel" for Raiders news right now is social media and local sports radio (Raider Nation Radio 920AM).
- Audit Your Streaming Services: By the time the 2026 season starts, you’ll want to make sure your Paramount+ and YouTube TV (for NFL Sunday Ticket) subscriptions are ready.
- Watch the Senior Bowl: Since the Raiders have the No. 1 pick, the "games" that matter right now are the college showcases. Keep an eye on NFL Network for scouting coverage.
- Manage Expectations: It’s a long off-season. Mark your calendars for the NFL Draft in April; that’s the next time the Raiders will truly "win" on television.
The search for the Raiders game today might lead to an empty stadium, but the off-season drama is just getting started. Keep your eyes on the news wire for the next head coach announcement, which should be coming any day now.