How To Watch 2026 Big Ten Football On CBS And Paramount+

From championship contenders to historic rivalries, the 2026 Big Ten football season will feature no shortage of excitement. Fans can watch select Big Ten football on CBS, with live streaming available on Paramount+ (Paramount+ Premium plan). 

After seeing its member schools notch three consecutive national championships (courtesy Indiana, Ohio State, and Michigan, respectively), the Big Ten enters the 2026 college football season as one of the most prestigious conferences in the game. With Oregon, USC, and Washington now established members following the conference’s expansion, the Big Ten has entered a new era featuring a blend of legacy powers, recent champions, and emerging contenders.

Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, and Indiana headline a deep group of contenders, but several programs could make a push for the conference title. Fans will be watching whether Oregon can continue its rise, if Indiana can build on its championship season, and how another chapter of the historic Ohio State-Michigan rivalry shapes the race.

Want to watch Big Ten football on CBS? Let’s dig in, and get the Big Ten football on CBS schedule, and find out how to watch Big Ten football on Paramount+.  

Key facts

• Big Ten football schedule 2026: Season begins Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026
• Number of teams: 18
• Big Ten football on CBS: 14 total games, primarily airing on Saturday afternoons
• Big Ten games on Paramount+: Big Ten games airing live on CBS can be streamed live on Paramount+ with a subscription to the Paramount+ Premium plan
• Big Ten Championship Game: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026 (to be broadcast on FOX)

How to watch live games

To watch a live Big Ten football game on CBS, tune in your local CBS station on your TV using a digital antenna, cable or satellite service, live-TV streaming service, and/or by streaming the CBS broadcast on Paramount+ with a subscription to the Paramount+ Premium plan.

On game day, get started with your Paramount+ subscription, and/or log into your account, and navigate to the Live TV hub. You’ll find the game via the feed of your local CBS station.

2026 Big Ten season at a glance

The 2026 Big Ten football season begins in late August, with conference play ramping up in September before concluding with the Big Ten Championship Game in December. As one of college football’s premier conferences, the Big Ten features several national title contenders, historic rivalries, and many of the sport’s biggest regular-season pairings.

The conference enters the 2026 season riding a powerful momentum after Big Ten programs captured the past three College Football Playoff national championships. With conference realignment continuing to reshape the college football landscape, fans can expect another season of high-stakes games as teams compete for a spot in Indianapolis and the expanded College Football Playoff.

Big Ten college football games on CBS

During the 2026 college football season, you can watch 14 Big Ten games on CBS/Paramount+ (Paramount+ Premium plan).

Ready to plan your viewing lineup? CBS has revealed its early-season Big Ten games, along with the overall outline of its slate. The schedule is current as of publication. Matchups will be added as broadcast assignments are set, roughly six to 12 days before the games’ scheduled dates.

As noted, a Paramount+ subscription to the Paramount+ Premium plan is required to stream Big Ten football on CBS live on your TV or device via the Paramount+ app.  

Biggest matchups to circle this season

Here are the Big Ten football games airing on CBS this season that you don’t want to miss. 

Oregon begins the CBS slate

Oregon enters the 2026 season as one of the Big Ten’s premier programs after quickly establishing itself as a conference contender following its move from the Pac-12. The Ducks will host Boise State, opening CBS Sports’ Big Ten coverage package. The game airs live on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 3:30 PM ET on CBS, and streams live on Paramount+ with a subscription to the Paramount+ Premium plan.

Conference play starts to heat up

Early conference play features several matchups, including Purdue at UCLA, Wisconsin at Penn State, and Illinois at Ohio State. USC’s trip to Rutgers is another early test to watch as the Trojans look to establish themselves in the conference—and it’s one of the Big Ten games fans can watch live on CBS, and stream live on Paramount+ with the Paramount+ Premium plan. Tune in Saturday, Sept. 19 at 3:30 PM ET.

FAQ

What Paramount+ plan do I need to watch CBS college football games?

If you want to stream CBS college football broadcasts live, you need a Paramount+ subscription to the Paramount+ Premium plan. This will give you access to all the games shown on CBS. 

With the Paramount+ Premium plan, you gain access to everything Paramount+ has to offer, including over 100 regular-season NFL games, plus all SHOWTIME® series and movies, including Dexter®: Resurrection, and the latest season of Yellowjackets. Visit the Paramount+ Help Center, for details on plans and pricing.

Can I watch games live without cable?

Yes, you can watch Big Ten football games on CBS without cable. You can watch the games on your TV or screen by using satellite, a live-TV streaming service, a digital antenna — or by streaming the games live on Paramount+ (via the Paramount+ app or through ParamountPlus.com) with subscription to the Paramount+ Premium plan. 

Will every Big Ten game be on CBS?

No. Every Big Ten game will not be on CBS. CBS carries a selection of Big Ten football games. FOX, NBC/Peacock, BTN, ABC/ESPN, among other broadcasters, will also air Big Ten football games.

Does Paramount+ include other college football games besides Big Ten matchups?

In addition to Big Ten games, Paramount+ subscribers to the Paramount+ Premium plan will be able to watch other live college football action in 2026, including the Army-Navy game (Sat., Dec. 12), and the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl (Thursday, Dec. 31).

The Army-Navy game and the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, plus other matchups featuring Pac-12 and Mountain West schools, will air live on CBS, and stream live on Paramount+ (Paramount+ Premium plan).

Stream college football all season long

Big Ten football fans can watch select conference matchups on CBS throughout the 2026 season, with games also available to stream live through Paramount+ (Paramount+ Premium plan). Because broadcast schedules, kickoff times, and streaming availability are updated during the season, check back regularly for the latest information on where to watch each and every matchup. Stream live CBS college football coverage on Paramount+ (Paramount+ Premium plan) all season long to follow your favorite Big Ten football teams.

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Maddy Sims

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