Updated Oct. 26, 2026: rewritten as a full guide to watching Alabama football without cable, with the rest of the 2026 schedule, every channel and what each option costs. The Mississippi State result is below.
Quick answer: Every Alabama regular-season SEC game now airs on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network or the streaming-only SEC Network+, because ESPN holds the SEC’s TV rights. The cheapest full option is ESPN Unlimited at $31.99 a month, which covers every ESPN channel plus SEC Network+. Games on ABC are free with a TV antenna. Alabama’s next games are at LSU on Nov. 7, at Vanderbilt on Nov. 14, Chattanooga on Nov. 21 and the Iron Bowl against Auburn on Nov. 28.
Below you’ll find the remaining schedule, a plain-English guide to the channels, the cheapest way to cover the whole season, and how Alabama handled unbeaten Mississippi State on Oct. 3.
Ways to watch Alabama football without cable
| Option | Price (Oct. 2026) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| TV antenna | One-time $20–$60 | ABC games only, free after you buy it |
| ESPN Unlimited | $31.99/mo or $319.99/yr | ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, SEC Network+ and ABC games in the ESPN app |
| Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundle | $35.99/mo with ads | Everything in ESPN Unlimited plus Disney+ and Hulu |
| YouTube TV | About $82.99/mo | Local ABC plus ESPN networks and unlimited DVR |
| Hulu + Live TV or Fubo | Varies by plan | Local ABC plus ESPN networks; check your ZIP code |
Prices are before taxes and can change. ESPN raised its streaming prices on Sept. 17, 2026, so older price lists online are out of date.
Alabama’s remaining 2026 schedule
| Date | Game | Kickoff and channel |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 31 | Bye week | No game |
| Nov. 7 | at LSU | Flex window; time and network announced 6 to 12 days before |
| Nov. 14 | at Vanderbilt | Early window (11 a.m. to noon CT); network to be announced |
| Nov. 21 | vs. Chattanooga | 1 p.m. CT on SEC Network+ (streaming only) |
| Nov. 28 | vs. Auburn (Iron Bowl) | Flex window; time and network to be announced |
| Dec. 5 | SEC Championship Game, Atlanta (if Alabama qualifies) | 4 p.m. ET on ABC |
The SEC sets “flex” games late so it can put the best matchups in prime time. Check the ESPN or Alabama athletics schedule the week before each game.
How Alabama beat Mississippi State
The Oct. 3 game in Starkville matched two unbeaten teams: No. 7 Alabama and No. 16 Mississippi State, both 4-0. It wasn’t close for long. Alabama won 56-23, according to ESPN and the Associated Press.
- Keelon Russell went 16 of 22 for 285 yards and three touchdowns, and he ran for another score.
- Kamario Taylor threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns for Mississippi State. He also had two interceptions and lost a fumble while playing on an injured ankle.
- Alabama’s defense held the Bulldogs to 18 rushing yards and sacked Taylor five times.
- It was Alabama’s 17th straight win in the series.
The win kept Alabama unbeaten at the time, while Mississippi State fell to 4-1. For the latest record and ranking, check the AP poll each Sunday.
Why every SEC game is on ESPN or ABC now
Starting with the 2024 season, ESPN became the SEC’s only national TV partner. CBS no longer airs SEC games. That’s simpler for fans: if you can get ABC and the ESPN family of channels, you can watch nearly every Alabama game.
Here’s what each channel means for you:
- ABC: a free local broadcast channel. An antenna picks it up in most homes.
- ESPN and ESPN2: cable channels. You need ESPN Unlimited, a bundle or a live TV service.
- SEC Network: the conference’s cable channel. It’s included in ESPN Unlimited and in most live TV services.
- SEC Network+: a streaming-only feed inside the ESPN app. It usually carries games against non-conference opponents, like the Nov. 21 Chattanooga game.
ESPN Unlimited includes SEC Network+. If your cable or live TV plan includes SEC Network, you can usually sign in to the ESPN app and watch SEC Network+ at no extra charge.
How to set it up: 5 steps
- Check where you’ll watch. A smart TV, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV or Google TV device all run the ESPN app.
- Test an antenna for ABC. Enter your address on the FCC’s DTV reception map to see which channels reach you.
- Choose one paid option. For most fans, ESPN Unlimited is the simplest pick. If your family already pays for Disney+ or Hulu, the $35.99 bundle is only $4 more.
- Sign up a few days early. Don’t wait until kickoff. Logins, app updates and payment checks can take time.
- Set a cancel reminder. Football season ends in December or January. Put a reminder on your phone so you don’t pay for months you won’t use.
Also read: Cheapest Way to Get ESPN in 2026: Every Option and Price
What a full season costs
Most Alabama fans don’t need sports TV all year. Here’s simple math for the 2026 season, using today’s prices:
| Plan | Months you pay | Total |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN Unlimited, monthly (Sept. to Dec.) | 4 | $127.96 |
| ESPN Unlimited, monthly (Sept. to Jan.) | 5 | $159.95 |
| ESPN Unlimited, yearly plan | 12 | $319.99 |
| YouTube TV (Sept. to Dec.) | 4 | About $331.96 |
If you only watch college football, paying monthly and canceling after the season saves money. The yearly ESPN plan only makes sense if you also watch the NBA, NFL or other ESPN sports in the spring and summer.
Made-up examples (not real people): These are made-up examples to show how the choices work.
Darnell in Birmingham only watches Alabama. He buys a $35 antenna for ABC games and adds ESPN Unlimited from September through the bowl game. He pays about $195 for the whole season, including the antenna.
The Parker family in Huntsville already pays for Disney+ and Hulu for the kids. They switch to the $35.99 bundle instead, so they pay just $4 a month more and get every Alabama game on the ESPN channels.
Free and low-cost ways to follow the Tide
- ABC with an antenna. Big SEC games often land on ABC, including the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 5.
- Radio. The Crimson Tide Sports Network carries every game on radio stations across Alabama. Check RollTide.com for the station nearest you.
- Free trials. Some live TV services offer short trials. Use one for a single big game, then cancel before you’re charged.
- Watch parties. A sports bar or a friend’s house can cost less than a month of service for one game.
Watching away from home
The ESPN app works anywhere in the U.S. on your phone, tablet or laptop when you’re signed in. Live TV services like YouTube TV set your “home area” for local channels, so ABC may switch to the local ABC station where you are. That’s fine for national games.
If you’re traveling outside the U.S., streaming rights change. ESPN’s app may not show live games abroad. Check before you fly.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying ESPN Select for live games. ESPN Select, the old ESPN+, doesn’t include the ESPN or SEC Network channels.
- Paying twice. If you already have YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, you have the ESPN channels. Don’t add ESPN Unlimited too.
- Using illegal streams. “Free” game sites often carry malware and fake login pages that steal passwords.
- Forgetting the Chattanooga game is streaming only. SEC Network+ isn’t a regular TV channel. Open the ESPN app to find it.
- Waiting on flex times. The LSU and Auburn kickoffs aren’t set yet. Check a week ahead so you aren’t surprised by a night game.
Recommended products
- Indoor HD TV antennas for free ABC games
- Roku streaming sticks to run the ESPN app
- Fire TV Stick 4K
- Alabama Crimson Tide fan gear
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Nexgen Headlines earns from qualifying purchases.
FAQ
What channel is the Alabama game on?
Alabama’s SEC games air on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 or SEC Network. Some non-conference games, like Chattanooga on Nov. 21, stream only on SEC Network+ in the ESPN app. Networks for flex games are announced 6 to 12 days ahead.
Can I watch Alabama football for free?
Games on ABC are free with a TV antenna. You can also listen free on the Crimson Tide Sports Network radio. Games on ESPN, ESPN2 and SEC Network need a paid service.
Does ESPN Unlimited include SEC Network?
Yes. ESPN Unlimited, $31.99 a month, includes SEC Network and SEC Network+, plus ESPN and ESPN2.
When is the 2026 Iron Bowl?
Alabama hosts Auburn on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026. It’s a flex game, so the kickoff time and network will be announced closer to the date.
What was the score of Alabama vs. Mississippi State?
Alabama won 56-23 in Starkville on Oct. 3, 2026. Keelon Russell threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns.
Bottom line
You don’t need cable to watch Alabama. An antenna handles ABC games for free, and ESPN Unlimited at $31.99 a month covers ESPN, SEC Network and the streaming-only SEC Network+ games. Pay monthly, cancel after the bowl game, and check flex kickoff times for LSU and the Iron Bowl a week ahead.
Last reviewed: Oct. 26, 2026. Prices and schedules can change; check ESPN and the provider’s site before you sign up.
Sources: ESPN game recap; CBS Sports; Alabama Athletics: 2026 TV windows; WVUA 23; NCAA.com: SEC Championship; FCC DTV reception maps.
Featured image: Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Photo: DXR / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited by Nexgen Headlines.
