Oscar Hartzog
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The first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament continues tonight with a great batch of March Madness games. One of the best is a clash between the No. 7 UCLA Bruins and the No. 10 UCF Knights.
At a Glance: How to Watch UCLA vs. UCF March Madness Game
- Stream UCLA vs. UCF: DirecTV, Sling, Hulu + Live TV
- TV channel: TBS
- Date, start time: Friday, March 20 at 7:25 p.m. ET
After UCLA’s recent ramp-up and UCF’s underdog run over the last few months, the matchup is likely to be a very good one. If you don’t have a cable subscription, read on for a few of the best ways to stream the UCLA vs. UCF March Madness game online without cable.
Where to Stream UCLA vs. UCF March Madness Game Online
Tonight’s UCLA vs. UCF game will air live on TBS at 7:25 p.m. ET. For fans without cable, livestreams can be found through cable streaming services like DirecTV, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV. HBO Max will also have a simulcast. Here’s a breakdown of these options:
Free Trial DirecTV
get free trialTBS available in MySports Genre Pack and all Signature Packages
TBS is available in a few of DirecTV’s live TV streaming packages. The MySports Genre Pack is the most affordable at $69.99 a month, and delivers 20+ sports channels, or you can go for one of the larger Signature Packages for up to 185+ channels. No matter which plan you choose, you’ll get a five-day free trial that you can use to stream the UCLA vs. UCF game for free.
Sling
sign upTBS available in Orange, Blue, and Orange + Blue packages
Sling also carries TBS for a UCLA vs. UCF livestream tonight. The channel is available in Sling’s Orange, Blue, and Orange + Blue packages, which start at $45.99 a month. However, Sling also offers short-term passes for the Orange plan. You can get a one-day pass for $4.99, a three-day pass for $9.99, or a seven-day pass for $14.99. Sling does not offer a free trial.
Hulu + Live TV
get free trialTBS, plus more than 90 other channels
Hulu + Live TV is one of the best streaming bundles on the market, offering 90+ channels, Disney+, ESPN, and Hulu for $89.99 a month. TBS is included, making it another way to stream the UCLA vs. UCF game. Get a three-day free trial to start.
UCLA vs. UCF March Madness Game Date, Start Time
The UCLA vs. UCF March Madness game is scheduled for Friday, March 20. Tip-off is at 7:25 p.m. ET.
UCLA vs. UCF Odds, Storylines
UCLA is the favorite tonight with a moneyline of -240 and a 5.5-point spread.
UCLA has stepped up its game in a big way leading up to the tournament. “We feel like we’re at one of the highest points of the team on the whole season,” said point guard Donovan Dent, “so we’re just hoping to keep riding that wave and keep flowing.” The Bruins hold the record for the most men’s basketball national titles, but the most recent championship win was in 1995. Last season ended in the second round with a loss to Tennessee.
UCF was going to be exciting to watch in this tournament, no matter who they played. This is the Knights’ first March Madness appearance in seven years, and they’re a surprise offensive powerhouse. Ahead of the season, they were expected to be one of the worst teams in the Big 12, but proved analysts wrong with a solid 21-11 run and a spot in the postseason.