So, you're sitting there, maybe scrolling through your phone after a long day, and that one nagging question pops up: when does ky play again? It's the life of a Big Blue Nation member. We don't just watch games; we live for the schedule. Whether it's the men's team trying to navigate a brutal SEC gauntlet or the women's squad lighting it up, you need to know where to be and when to turn on the TV.
Honestly, keeping track of it all is kinda like a full-time job.
Right now, the focus is squarely on the hardwood. We are deep into the 2025-26 season, and the stakes are getting high. If you're looking for the very next time the men's team steps onto the floor, mark your calendar for Wednesday, January 21, 2026. They're hosting the Texas Longhorns at Rupp Arena.
The tip-off is set for 7:00 PM ET. You can catch that one on SEC Network.
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The Upcoming Men's Basketball Grind
Rupp is going to be rocking for that Texas game. But the schedule doesn't get any easier after that. Basically, January and February in the SEC are just one long series of "prove it" games.
Just a few days after the Texas matchup, the Wildcats stay home. On Saturday, January 24, Ole Miss comes to Lexington. That’s an early one—12:00 PM ET on ESPN. You've gotta love a noon tip-off at Rupp; there's just something different about the energy when the sun is still up.
Then, the Cats hit the road.
Traveling to Nashville to face Vanderbilt at Memorial Gymnasium is always... weird. That gym with the benches on the ends? It's a nightmare for visiting teams. That game is Tuesday, January 27, at 9:00 PM ET. If you're planning to watch, brew some extra coffee because those late-night SEC road games can go long.
After Nashville, it's off to Fayetteville. Facing Arkansas at Bud Walton Arena on Saturday, January 31, at 6:30 PM ET is going to be a total slugfest. The Hogs' fans are loud, and that's a tough environment for anyone.
Quick Look: Men’s Upcoming Games
- Jan 21: vs. Texas (Home) - 7:00 PM ET (SEC Network)
- Jan 24: vs. Ole Miss (Home) - 12:00 PM ET (ESPN)
- Jan 27: at Vanderbilt (Away) - 9:00 PM ET (SEC Network)
- Jan 31: at Arkansas (Away) - 6:30 PM ET (ESPN/ESPN2)
Don't Sleep on the Women's Schedule
If you haven't been watching the Kentucky women's team this year, you're seriously missing out. They've been a top-10 mainstay for a reason. As of today, January 18, 2026, they are actually playing right now or just about to. They are down in Starkville taking on Mississippi State at 3:00 PM ET.
Their schedule is just as packed. On Thursday, January 22, they head over to Knoxville to face Tennessee. It's the Lady Vols. It's Kentucky. It’s a rivalry that never gets old. That game starts at 6:30 PM ET and will be on the SEC Network.
They finally come back to Historic Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, January 25, for a noon matchup against Georgia. It's actually Alumni Day, so expect a lot of legends in the building.
The 2026 Football Schedule is Already Out
I know, I know. It's January. We’re thinking about brackets and bubbles. But the SEC recently dropped the 2026 Kentucky football schedule, and it's a doozy. For the first time, the league is moving to a nine-game conference schedule.
New head coach Will Stein (who took over after the 2025 season) is going to have a trial by fire. The season kicks off on September 5, 2026, at home against Youngstown State.
But look at the second week. Alabama comes to Kroger Field on September 12. That is massive. Usually, you get a couple of "cupcake" games to start the year, but not in 2026. After Bama, the Cats travel to College Station to play Texas A&M.
The back half of the season is just as wild. They've got LSU at home in October and a trip to Oklahoma (now a full-blown SEC rival) on October 17. The regular season ends, as it always should, with the Governor’s Cup against Louisville at home on November 28.
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Notable 2026 Football Dates
- Sept 5: vs. Youngstown State (Opener)
- Sept 12: vs. Alabama (Home Opener/SEC Opener)
- Oct 17: at Oklahoma (First time as SEC foes in 40+ years)
- Nov 28: vs. Louisville (Regular season finale)
Where to Actually Watch the Games
Look, finding which channel the game is on is harder than it used to be. Gone are the days when everything was just on "the local channel."
For basketball, your best friends are the ESPN App and SEC Network+. If a game isn't on the main SEC Network channel, it's usually streaming there. Most of the women's games are on SECN+, which you can access if you have a cable login or a streaming service like YouTube TV or Fubo.
For radio, the UK Sports Network is still the gold standard. Hearing Tom Leach call a buzzer-beater is a rite of passage for any fan. If you're out of the state, the iHeartRadio app usually carries the Lexington or Louisville affiliates so you can listen anywhere.
Common Misconceptions About the Schedule
A lot of people think that because the SEC expanded, we play everyone every year. That’s not how it works. In basketball, the schedule is a mix of home-and-home "permanent" rivals and rotating opponents. That's why we don't see teams like Missouri or South Carolina twice every single season anymore.
Another thing? Game times.
"TBA" is the most hated acronym in sports. For the football games later in the 2026 season, don't expect firm kickoff times until about 10-12 days before the game. The TV networks (ESPN/ABC) hold those slots until they see who is ranked and who is tanking.
Actionable Steps for the Big Blue Nation
If you want to make sure you never miss a tip-off or a kickoff again, here is what you should do right now:
- Download the UK Athletics App: It’s the most direct way to see schedule changes. Sometimes games get moved for TV, and this app pushes notifications directly to your phone.
- Sync the Calendar: Most team websites have a "Sync to Calendar" button. Do it. It puts every game on your Google or Apple calendar automatically.
- Check the NET Rankings: If you're following the basketball team's tournament hopes, stop looking at the AP Poll. The Selection Committee cares about the NET. Keep an eye on how Kentucky's opponents are doing, as those "Quad 1" wins are what get you a high seed in March.
- Bookmark the SEC Standings: With the league being so top-heavy, every single Tuesday/Wednesday night game matters for seeding in the SEC Tournament in Nashville.
The road to March is always bumpy, but that's what makes it fun. Whether you're heading to Rupp for the Texas game or just yelling at the TV from your couch, at least now you know exactly when to tune in.