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How to watch the 2026 Champions Classic

Michigan State plays Duke, then Kansas plays Kentucky, in one Tuesday night doubleheader in Chicago. Both games are on ESPN, and here is how to stream them.

Last updated · ~3 min read

First published with ESPN's tip times for both games and the ESPN App streaming options, checked against ESPN and the teams' schedules.

What channel is the 2026 Champions Classic on?

The 2026 State Farm Champions Classic is Tuesday, November 10, at United Center in Chicago. Both games air on ESPN: Michigan State vs. Duke at 7 p.m. ET, then Kansas vs. Kentucky at 9:30 p.m. ET. To stream them, use the ESPN App with ESPN Unlimited ($31.99 a month), a TV provider login that includes ESPN, or a live-TV service that carries ESPN.

Step by step

  1. Check your TV package. Both games are on ESPN. If your package includes ESPN, watch on TV or sign in to the ESPN App with your provider.
  2. No TV package? Pick a stream. ESPN Unlimited ($31.99 a month) streams ESPN in the ESPN App. Live-TV services such as Sling Orange and the YouTube TV Sports Plan carry it too.
  3. Tune in Tuesday night. Michigan State vs. Duke is at 7 p.m. ET on November 10. Kansas vs. Kentucky is at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Quick FAQ

What channel is Duke vs. Michigan State on?
ESPN. Michigan State vs. Duke tips off at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the United Center.
What channel is Kansas vs. Kentucky on?
ESPN. Kansas vs. Kentucky tips off at 9:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the United Center.
What time is the Champions Classic?
The first game starts at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT, 4 p.m. PT). The second starts at 9:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. CT, 6:30 p.m. PT).
How can I watch the Champions Classic without cable?
Use the ESPN App with ESPN Unlimited ($31.99 a month), or a live-TV service that carries ESPN, such as Sling Orange ($45.99 a month) or the YouTube TV Sports Plan ($64.99 a month).
Is the Champions Classic on ESPN Select?
Plan on ESPN Unlimited instead. Both games are on the ESPN channel, which ESPN lists under Unlimited, and ESPN says Select consists entirely of ESPN+ content.
Where is the Champions Classic played?
At the United Center in Chicago. ESPN calls it a neutral-site doubleheader.
Where can I watch a replay?
ESPN says the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited plan includes on-demand replays. It has not listed a replay window for these two games.

Sources

When and where to watch

Date
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Venue
United Center, Chicago
US TV and streaming
ESPN, ESPN App
Confirmed 2026 schedule for United States.
WhatWhenWhere
Michigan State vs. DukeTue, Nov. 10, 7 p.m. ETESPN
Kansas vs. KentuckyTue, Nov. 10, 9:30 p.m. ETESPN

The ESPN App streams ESPN live with an ESPN Unlimited plan or a TV provider login that includes ESPN.

Source: ESPN Press Room • ESPN Events 2026-27 college basketball schedule, checked .

  • Cheapest service in Spot's price catalog that carries ESPN: ESPN Unlimited at $31.99/month ($319.99/year).

The two games

Michigan State and Duke tip off at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT, 4 p.m. PT). Kansas and Kentucky follow at 9:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. CT, 6:30 p.m. PT). ESPN lists both games on ESPN, so you do not need a second channel.

ESPN calls this a neutral-site doubleheader. It is the 16th annual Champions Classic and the fifth at the United Center, the first since 2023. ESPN notes that Kansas and Kentucky own more all-time wins than any other Division I men's basketball programs.

In the AP preseason poll, the latest poll when we checked on November 2, Duke is No. 2, Michigan State is No. 6, Kansas is No. 17 and Kentucky is No. 23.

Streaming without cable

ESPN Unlimited ($31.99 a month or $319.99 a year) is the cheapest service in our price catalog that carries the ESPN channel. ESPN lists the channel as part of the plan. ESPN Select is a different plan: ESPN says it consists entirely of ESPN+ content, so plan on Unlimited for these games.

If your TV package already includes ESPN, sign in to the ESPN App with that provider. Live-TV services carry ESPN too, including Sling Orange ($45.99 a month) and the YouTube TV Sports Plan ($64.99 a month).

Going in person

The United Center lists gates opening at 5 p.m. CT, an hour before the first tip, with tickets on sale through Ticketmaster.

Get Fubo Pro

This event airs on ESPN, which Fubo Pro lists. Fubo Pro lists ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. Local stations and regional sports networks depend on your home ZIP, and Fubo does not carry every team's network.

$88.99/month before taxes. Fubo adds a regional sports fee of up to $16.99/month in some areas. Prices from Fubo, checked October 27, 2026.

Get Fubo ProCheck Fubo's regional networks for your ZIPCompare with other services

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Sources we checked

Cross-checked against Spot's own Michigan State vs. Duke listing, which showed ESPN when this guide was written. Where the two differ, this page follows the rights holder.

Update log

  • November 2, 2026: First published with ESPN's tip times for both games and the ESPN App streaming options, checked against ESPN and the teams' schedules.

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