If you're asking what time does LSU play today central time, you've probably realized that being a Tigers fan in mid-January is a full-time job. It’s that weird, beautiful overlap where the winter sports are hitting their SEC stride and the spring sports are just starting to stretch their legs.
Honestly, today—Friday, January 16, 2026—is a massive day for the Purple and Gold. Whether you're looking for the stick-it landing in a gymnastics arena or the first serve on a tennis court, Baton Rouge is busy.
The Big One: No. 2 LSU Gymnastics at No. 8 Georgia
The headliner for tonight is undoubtedly the gymnastics squad. After a record-breaking performance at the Sprouts Collegiate Quad where they posted a 197.500 (the highest road opener in the program's history), the Tigers are heading into the classic "Stegeman Coliseum" environment.
- Time: 6:00 PM Central Time
- Opponent: No. 8 Georgia Bulldogs
- Where to Watch: SEC Network
This isn't just another meet. It’s the SEC opener. LSU has won the last four times they’ve traveled to Athens, but Georgia is coming off a strong 197.000 win themselves. Basically, expect a dogfight. Bart Conner and Trinity Thomas are on the call, so the commentary will be top-tier.
Men’s Tennis Kicks Off the Dual Season
While most of us are thinking about hoops or gymnastics, Coach Danny Bryan has the men's tennis team over in South Carolina. They are opening the 2026 dual season against a ranked Clemson team.
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- Time: 4:00 PM Central Time
- Location: Duckworth Family Tennis Facility (Clemson, SC)
- Streaming: TrackTennis
Alessio Vasquez is the name to watch here. He’s a Second Team All-SEC guy who already has wins over national champions under his belt. This is a "hidden gem" match for the day because Clemson and LSU haven't played since 2012. The all-time series is perfectly split at 7-7, so someone leaves today with the bragging rights.
Track and Field: The Purple Tiger Invite
If you happen to be in Baton Rouge and want to see some action in person without spending a fortune, the Carl Maddox Field House is the place to be.
- Time: 9:00 AM Central Time
- Event: LSU Purple Tiger (Indoor Track & Field)
It’s an all-day affair. These early indoor meets are where you see the raw speed before the championship season kicks in later in the spring. It’s loud, it’s fast, and it’s quintessentially LSU.
Why People Get Confused About the Schedule
Look, keeping track of what time does LSU play today central time gets tricky because LSU has multiple campuses and different levels of play. For example, if you see a basketball score for "LSU" earlier in the day, make sure you aren't looking at LSU Alexandria or LSU Eunice.
The main "Tigers" (the Baton Rouge bunch) actually have the basketball teams resting today. The men's team is prepping for a Saturday showdown with Missouri at 2:30 PM CT, and Kim Mulkey’s crew is gearing up for a road trip to Norman to face Oklahoma on Sunday.
Catching the Action: A Quick Reference
If you're trying to plan your Friday night around the TV, here is how the timing shakes out for the major events:
- Morning (9:00 AM CT): Track and Field starts at the Field House.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM CT): Men's Tennis starts at Clemson.
- Primetime (6:00 PM CT): Gymnastics takes the floor on SEC Network.
A Note on Football
Since it's January 16, the college football season is technically over (the National Championship was a few days ago). If you see "LSU Football" listed today, it's likely a recruiting update or news about the Polynesian Bowl, which kicks off at 8:00 PM CT on NFL Network and often features LSU commits.
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Practical Steps for Tigers Fans
To make sure you never miss a start time, your best bet is to bookmark the LSU Athletics "All-Sports" calendar. It’s the only way to keep the gymnastics, tennis, and swimming schedules from blurring together.
For tonight, make sure your cable or streaming service (like Fubo or YouTube TV) includes the SEC Network before 6:00 PM rolls around. If you're following tennis, download the iOnCourt app for live scoring, as tennis streaming can sometimes be a bit spotty depending on the venue's Wi-Fi.
Geaux Tigers.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your local listings for the SEC Network to ensure you have access for the 6:00 PM CT gymnastics meet. If you are following the tennis match at 4:00 PM CT, head over to the TrackTennis website to set up a stream alert for the Clemson vs. LSU court.