If you're asking when do ohio state buckeyes play, you're probably looking for a kickoff time or a tip-off. But honestly, being a Buckeye fan in January 2026 is a little chaotic. The football pads are mostly put away, but the hardwood is heating up, and the ice is just getting started. It's a weird transition period. One day you're mourning a tough loss in the Cotton Bowl, and the next you're screaming at the TV because of a Big Ten basketball officiating call.
The schedule isn't just a list of dates. It's a lifestyle. Whether it's Jake Diebler’s squad trying to climb the conference standings or the women’s hockey team dominating the WCHA, there is almost always something happening in Columbus.
The 2026 Winter Grind: Men's Basketball
Right now, all eyes are on the Schottenstein Center. The 2025-26 season has been a bit of a roller coaster. After a decent start, the Buckeyes are right in the thick of the Big Ten gauntlet.
Upcoming Men's Basketball Games:
- Saturday, Jan 17: vs. UCLA at 1:00 PM (Home)
- Tuesday, Jan 20: vs. Minnesota at 6:30 PM (Home)
- Friday, Jan 23: at Michigan at 8:00 PM (Away)
- Monday, Jan 26: vs. Penn State at 7:00 PM (Home)
- Saturday, Jan 31: at Wisconsin at 2:00 PM (Away)
That January 23rd matchup in Ann Arbor is basically the main event of the month. It doesn't matter if it's football, basketball, or a tiddlywinks tournament; beating "That Team Up North" is the only thing that matters to the fan base. If you're trying to figure out when do ohio state buckeyes play in a way that actually impacts your blood pressure, that’s the date to circle on your calendar.
What Happened to Football?
The 2025 season was a wild ride. Ryan Day led the team to a perfect 12-0 regular season—the first time they'd done that since 2019. They beat Michigan 27-9. They looked invincible. Then, the postseason happened. A narrow 13-10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship was a gut punch. It got worse on New Year's Eve 2025, when Miami (FL) knocked the Buckeyes out of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals with a 24-14 win at the Cotton Bowl.
So, for now, the football schedule is in a lull. But we already know the 2026 dates for the non-conference slate.
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- September 5, 2026: Ball State at Ohio Stadium.
- September 12, 2026: At Texas (Longhorns).
- September 19, 2026: Kent State at Ohio Stadium.
The Texas game is going to be massive. It’s a return trip after Texas came to Columbus in August of 2025. Honestly, the 2025 game was a defensive masterclass, with the Buckeyes winning 14-7. Expect Austin to be a madhouse when the Scarlet and Gray show up in September.
Don't Sleep on the Other Sports
People forget that Ohio State has like 36 varsity sports. It's a lot. If you only watch football and basketball, you're missing out on some of the best athletes in the country.
The Women's Basketball team is currently on a tear. They just dismantled Penn State 108-84 on January 14. They’ve got a huge game coming up against No. 10 TCU on Monday, Jan 19, at noon. It's being played in Newark, New Jersey, but it'll be on FOX.
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Then there’s the No. 2 ranked Women's Hockey team. They are absolute juggernauts. They’re heading to Mankato this weekend (Jan 16-17) to play Minnesota State. If you want to see a team that actually wins consistently, this is the one to follow.
The Mid-January Composite Schedule
If you’re just looking for a quick "What's on today?" guide, here is what the rest of this week looks like for the Buckeyes:
- Thursday, Jan 15: Men’s Volleyball vs. George Mason (7:00 PM at the Covelli Center).
- Friday, Jan 16: Women’s Hockey at Minnesota State; Men’s Volleyball vs. Long Beach State (1:00 PM); Track & Field at the Indiana Invitational.
- Saturday, Jan 17: Men’s Basketball vs. UCLA (1:00 PM); Women’s Gymnastics at Rutgers; Fencing at the St. John’s Super Cup.
Where to Watch and How to Get Tickets
Basically, if the game isn't on a major network like FOX, NBC, or CBS, it’s probably on Big Ten Plus (B1G+). It's a bit of a pain to have another subscription, but for the "niche" sports like volleyball or wrestling, it's the only way to watch.
Tickets for basketball are still available for most home games at the Schottenstein Center, though the UCLA game is getting tight. For the 2026 football season, the "Ohio State 4 Miler" is actually happening on April 12, 2026. It finishes on the 50-yard line of Ohio Stadium. It’s a cool way to get into the "Shoe" without paying Big Ten prices for a seat.
Real Talk: The Schedule is Fluid
One thing most people get wrong about when do ohio state buckeyes play is assuming the times are set in stone months in advance. They aren't. TV networks like FOX and NBC usually wait until 6 to 12 days before a game to announce the exact kickoff or tip-off time. This is "network flexibility," which is just a fancy way of saying they want to put the best games in the primetime slots.
If you're planning a trip to Columbus, always keep your Saturday flexible. A noon game can easily become a 7:30 PM "Black Out" game if both teams are ranked.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Download the Official App: The Ohio State Buckeyes app is actually decent. It syncs the schedule to your phone calendar so you don't have to keep googling it.
- Check the "Composite Calendar": If you're a multi-sport fan, go to the Ohio State Athletics website and look for the "Composite" view. It shows every single sport on one timeline.
- Watch the Weather: If you're heading to the Covelli Center or the Schott this week, remember it's mid-January in Ohio. The wind chill off the Olentangy River is no joke.
- Book Your Texas Travel Now: If you're planning on going to Austin for the Sept 12, 2026 football game, start looking at flights. That weekend will be one of the most expensive times to fly into Texas all year.
The Buckeyes play almost every day if you're willing to look beyond the gridiron. Right now, the focus is on basketball and hockey, but the road to the 2026 football season is already being paved.