Look, we’ve all been there. You’re standing in the grocery aisle, looking at chips, and suddenly you realize you have no idea if the game has already started. If you’re asking what time is washington game, you’re probably hunting for one of three things: the Huskies, the Wizards, or the Capitals. Maybe even the Commanders if it’s playoff season.
Honestly, being a Washington sports fan is a full-time job. Between the time zone jumps for the Big Ten and the erratic NHL puck drops, keeping your internal clock straight is basically impossible without a spreadsheet.
The Huskies: When do the Dawgs bark?
Let’s talk college ball first. Since the University of Washington jumped into the Big Ten, the schedule has become a bit of a nightmare for those of us on the West Coast.
If you are looking for the what time is washington game for the men's basketball team, you've got to watch the "Big Ten Network" (BTN) schedules closely. Right now, for Sunday, January 18, 2026, the men's team actually just wrapped up a tough game against Michigan State yesterday. They aren't on the court today. Their next big hurdle is a trip to Lincoln to face Nebraska on Wednesday, January 21. That one tips off at 6:00 PM PT.
However, the Washington women’s team is a different story. They just finished playing Minnesota today, January 18, at Alaska Airlines Arena. They won 67-54, by the way. If you were looking for that tip-off, it was at 3:00 PM PT.
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The football season is in the rearview mirror—unless you’re counting the L.A. Bowl victory against Boise State back in December—so Saturdays are quiet for now. But for basketball, the rule of thumb is usually 6:00 PM or 8:00 PM PT for weekday home games, and all bets are off for Sunday morning "Big Ten Breakfast" slots.
Washington Wizards: Capital One Arena Tip-off Times
Switching gears to the NBA. The Wizards have a weird schedule this week. If you’re asking what time is washington game for the Wiz today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, the answer is: they don't play today.
You actually have to wait until tomorrow, Monday, January 19. They’re hosting the Los Angeles Clippers at Capital One Arena. Because it's a holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), it’s a matinee game.
- Opponent: LA Clippers
- Date: Monday, Jan 19, 2026
- Time: 3:00 PM ET (which is Noon for the fans back in Seattle)
NBA games usually stick to a 7:00 PM local start for weeknights, but these holiday afternoon games always catch people off guard. Don't be the person showing up at 6:30 PM only to realize the fourth quarter is ending.
The Capitals and Commanders: Ice and Turf
Over on the ice, the Washington Capitals are currently in the middle of a brutal road stretch. If you were looking for the puck drop today, Sunday, January 18, you're in the clear—they played the Florida Panthers yesterday (a 3-2 loss, unfortunately) and aren't back in action until tomorrow.
Tomorrow, Monday, Jan 19, they take on the Colorado Avalanche in Denver. That game starts at 4:00 PM ET (2:00 PM MT).
As for the Commanders, their 2025-2026 season ended without a playoff berth. They finished 5-12, so there's no "what time is the game" for the NFL right now. We're all just looking ahead to the 2026 draft and hoping the new coaching staff can turn the defense around. They have already released their 2026 home and away opponents, which includes some heavy hitters like the Cowboys and the Eagles, but we won't have actual kickoff times for those until the schedule release in May.
Why the Times Keep Changing
It's kinda frustrating how "standard" times aren't really a thing anymore. TV networks like FOX, CBS, and BTN basically dictate when these games start based on "windows."
For the Huskies, being in the Big Ten means they are often the "late-night" game for the East Coast or the "early-bird" game for the West Coast. A Noon ET kickoff in Maryland means a 9:00 AM start for fans in Seattle. It’s brutal.
Pro-Tip for 2026: Always check the specific time zone. Most national sites default to Eastern Time (ET). If you’re in Washington state, you need to subtract three hours. If the app says 7:00 PM and you’re in Ballard, you better be on the couch by 4:00 PM.
Actionable Next Steps for Washington Fans
- Download the GoHuskies App: This is the only way to get real-time alerts for UW basketball and football that actually accounts for your phone's local time zone.
- Sync your Google Calendar: Most team websites (Wizards, Capitals, Huskies) offer a "Sync to Calendar" button. Do it. It updates automatically when game times shift for TV.
- Check the Network: If the game is on Peacock or FS1, the pre-game coverage usually starts 30 minutes prior. If you just want the actual start, aim for 10 minutes after the posted "start time"—that’s usually when the real action begins after the national anthem and intros.
- Monitor the Postseason: Since we are in mid-January, keep an eye on the NFL Divisional Round schedules. Even if the Commanders aren't in it, those games dictate what else is on TV and might bump your favorite local college basketball game to a secondary channel.