The Iowa Hawkeyes host the Wisconsin Badgers at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, with kickoff set for 12 p.m. ET on FOX, and fans have several ways to stream the game without paying a dime up front.
Both teams enter Week 9 at 5-2, but Wisconsin carries the momentum. The Badgers knocked off USC last week and landed at No. 25 in the AP Top 25, their first ranking of the season, according to Mashable's streaming guide. A Hawkeyes win would keep Iowa's Big Ten title and playoff hopes alive and could knock Wisconsin right back out of the rankings.
What's at stake at Kinnick Stadium
This is a matchup of two evenly matched teams with identical records, but Wisconsin has played better football in conference play so far. That makes Saturday a genuine swing game for both programs.
For Iowa fans, the path is simple. Win, and the Hawkeyes start climbing the Big Ten standings with November still ahead. Lose, and a 5-3 record with a ranked loss at home makes any playoff conversation a long shot at best.
Kinnick Stadium has long been one of the toughest road environments in the country, and a Halloween morning kickoff means a fired-up crowd for a border rivalry game that rarely disappoints.
How to watch Wisconsin vs. Iowa on TV
The game airs nationally on FOX at 12 p.m. ET, which is 11 a.m. Iowa time. Fox's official listing confirms the Week 9 matchup streams on Fox One, the network's direct-to-consumer service.
If you have a cable or satellite package that includes FOX, you can watch the traditional broadcast or use your provider's app to sign in and stream the game on your phone, tablet, or smart TV.
Free trial options to stream the game
Cord-cutters have plenty of choices, and several major services offer free trials that let you watch Saturday's game without spending anything, according to Mashable. Here's the breakdown:
- Fox One costs $19.99 per month and carries FOX, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It comes with a three-day free trial, which covers game day if you time it right. An annual plan runs $199.99 and saves you about $38.89.
- FuboTV offers a five-day free trial and more than 250 live channels, including FOX, Big Ten Network, ESPN, and ABC. The Pro plan covers most college football broadcasts, while the Elite plan adds ESPNU, SEC Network, and more.
- YouTube TV provides a free trial and over 100 live channels, including all the major broadcast and sports networks that carry college football.
- Hulu + Live TV runs $99.99 per month after a three-day trial, but the first month is discounted to $49.99 and the bundle includes Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+.
- ESPN Unlimited costs $31.99 per month and has no free trial, though it won't carry this particular game since it's on FOX.
- Sling has no free trial, but its Orange and Blue package includes FOX, ESPN, and Big Ten Network depending on your local market.
Yahoo Sports also reports that the game streams on FOX, FOX 4K, and FOX Deportes through Fubo, giving viewers a high-definition option if their setup supports it.
Watching from outside the United States
Hawkeye fans traveling abroad for the holiday weekend can still catch the game. A VPN lets you connect to a U.S. server and sign in to your streaming service as usual, bypassing the geographic blocks that platforms use overseas.
Mashable recommends ExpressVPN for streaming sports, citing servers in 105 countries, apps for all major devices, a strict no-logging policy, and connection speeds that hold up during live games. A two-year subscription is currently on sale for $68.40 with four extra months included, and the service carries a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What to expect on the field
Wisconsin's upset of USC was the statement win of the Badgers' season, and it put them in the rankings for the first time in 2026. The Badgers' conference record gives them the edge in the Big Ten standings coming in.
Iowa's defense has traditionally been the backbone of the program, and slowing down a Wisconsin team that just beat a blue-blood program will be the top priority. With both teams at 5-2, the winner walks away with a realistic path to a strong bowl game and, for Iowa, an outside shot at the playoff conversation.
For a state where college football Saturdays are a way of life, a ranked opponent visiting Kinnick on Halloween weekend is about as good as it gets. Kickoff is 12 p.m. ET, 11 a.m. local, on FOX.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Wisconsin vs. Iowa start?
Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, which is 11 a.m. local time in Iowa City.
What channel is the Wisconsin vs. Iowa game on?
The game is broadcast nationally on FOX. It is not on ESPN or the Big Ten Network this week.
Can I watch Wisconsin vs. Iowa for free?
Yes. Fox One offers a three-day free trial, and FuboTV offers a five-day free trial. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV also offer short trials. Signing up before kickoff lets you watch Saturday's game at no cost.
Where is the game being played?
At Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, home of the Hawkeyes.