CFP National Championship: Ways to watch Miami-Indiana at no cost

2026 College Football National Championship: Miami vs. Indiana

The 2025-26 college football season wraps up tonight with the College Football Playoff National Championship. The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes are set to compete against the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers, who are aiming for their first championship since 2002. Interestingly, these teams have a sparse history, having crossed paths only twice, with their last matchup occurring back in the 1960s.

This year, Indiana distinguished itself by remaining undefeated during the regular season. Earning the top playoff seed, the Hoosiers celebrated quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman Trophy win, a first for their program. To earn their place in the national championship, they decisively defeated Alabama with a score of 38-3 in the Rose Bowl and Oregon State 56-22 in the Peach Bowl.

Miami will make history as the first College Football Playoff team to compete for a national title in its own stadium. They fought hard through three playoff games without a first-round bye, overcoming Texas A&M, Ohio State—who is the 2025 national champion—and Ole Miss to get here.

Key Information

Who: Miami Hurricanes vs. Indiana Hoosiers

When: January 19th, at 7:30 PM ET

Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Channel: ESPN

Streaming: DIRECTV (with a free trial)

If you’re looking to catch the game without cable, there’s an option available. You can stream the Miami vs. Indiana matchup for free on a live TV streaming service. DIRECTV offers a 5-day free trial that includes ESPN, making it an easy way to watch the game. After the trial, they provide more than 90 channels starting at $49.99 per month.

Not ready for a full subscription? You could consider a one-day pass for Sling Orange, which goes for $4.99 and grants 24-hour access to all its content, including ESPN. There are also weekend and week-long options available.