Alabama vs Auburn Basketball Game 2026: The Feud in Birmingham, Live Score, TV Channel, Streaming and Steven Pearl's Exhibition Fallout

Alabama and Auburn meet in Birmingham on Friday, October 23, 2026, for the next chapter of The Feud, a preseason charity exhibition that has become one of college basketball's loudest October events. The No. 20 Crimson Tide enter as the ranked side, while Auburn arrives after a fiery exhibition loss to Alabama earlier in the week, a result that head coach Steven Pearl addressed in a candid postgame press conference. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at Legacy Arena, with live coverage on SEC Network and streaming via ESPN and fuboTV.

What time is the Alabama vs Auburn basketball game tonight?

The Alabama vs Auburn basketball game tips off at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Doors open two hours earlier, and the game is officially listed as an exhibition on both programs' 2026-27 schedules.

What channel is the Alabama vs Auburn basketball game on?

The Alabama vs Auburn basketball game airs on SEC Network, with streaming available through the ESPN app and credentialed TV providers. Cord-cutters can access SEC Network via fuboTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, all of which carry the channel in their sports tiers.

AL.com's viewing guide for the game notes that free trial options through fuboTV and DirecTV Stream remain the most popular routes for fans without a cable subscription. International viewers should check SEC Network's availability through local ESPN affiliates or the ESPN app with a valid provider login.

What was the score of the earlier Alabama vs Auburn exhibition?

Alabama defeated Auburn in the first exhibition meeting of the 2026 preseason, a result Auburn coach Steven Pearl described as "fiery" and instructive rather than alarming. The game served as a dress rehearsal for both staffs ahead of the 2026-27 regular season, with rotation experimentation and defensive communication the primary themes in Pearl's postgame remarks.

According to 247Sports' transcript of Pearl's press conference, the Auburn staff emphasized transition defense and half-court discipline as the two areas most exposed by Alabama's pace. The Crimson Tide, ranked No. 20 in the preseason AP Top 25, used the exhibition to test deeper bench combinations under Nate Oats.

How can fans watch the Alabama vs Auburn game for free?

Fans can watch the Alabama vs Auburn game for free through promotional trials offered by fuboTV, DirecTV Stream and YouTube TV, each of which carries SEC Network. Most trials run between five and seven days, enough to cover the exhibition and the opening week of the regular season.

• fuboTV: free trial, includes SEC Network and ESPN
• DirecTV Stream: free trial on Choice tier and above
• YouTube TV: free trial, includes SEC Network in base plan
• Sling TV: Orange package includes ESPN, SEC Network available via Sports Extra
• ESPN app: requires TV provider login

Is the Alabama vs Auburn game on YouTube?

The Alabama vs Auburn game is not available as a free live stream on YouTube, but official highlight packages and postgame press conferences typically appear on the SEC Network and Alabama Athletics YouTube channels within hours of the final whistle. Fans searching for the game on YouTube should look for official conference channels rather than unofficial restreams, which are routinely removed for copyright violations.

Why is the game called The Feud?

The Feud is the branded name Auburn Athletics uses for its annual charity exhibition against Alabama, a series designed to raise money for Birmingham-area charities while stoking one of the SEC's fiercest rivalries. Auburn's official athletics website confirmed the 2026 edition on October 21, framing the game as a community event that also serves as a final preseason tune-up.

"The Feud has become one of the best preseason events in college basketball. It is a real game with real stakes for our state, and our players feel that." (Auburn Athletics, October 2026)

What are the key storylines heading into the 2026 edition?

The 2026 edition of The Feud centers on three storylines: Alabama's preseason ranking and its quest to validate a top-20 projection, Auburn's response to the earlier exhibition loss, and the continued evolution of Steven Pearl's staff in his first full season leading the program.

What is the live score and how do I follow updates?

Live score updates for the Alabama vs Auburn game are available through the official Alabama and Auburn athletics apps, the SEC Network broadcast and ESPN's gamecast. Real-time stats, including shooting splits and turnover margins, update on the ESPN app within seconds of each possession.

For fans searching "Alabama Auburn basketball game score today," the most reliable sources are the official team accounts on X and the SEC Network ticker, both of which post quarter-by-quarter updates during the exhibition.

What is the historical context of the Alabama Auburn basketball rivalry?

Alabama leads the all-time basketball series against Auburn, though the rivalry has tightened considerably since Nate Oats arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2019. The two programs have combined for multiple SEC regular-season and tournament championships over the past decade, elevating the matchup from a regional curiosity to a national television fixture.

According to NCAA attendance data, the 2026 edition at Legacy Arena is expected to draw a capacity crowd of more than 17,000, consistent with recent charity exhibitions between the two schools.

What comes next for both programs after The Feud?

Both Alabama and Auburn open their 2026-27 regular seasons in early November, with non-conference schedules that include several high-major opponents. The Feud serves as the final preseason test before official games count in the standings.

Fans can track both teams' full schedules through the official athletics websites, and the SEC Network will carry opening-week coverage across its studio programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Alabama vs Auburn basketball start tonight?

The game tips off at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Legacy Arena in Birmingham.

What channel is the Alabama vs Auburn basketball game on?

SEC Network carries the broadcast, with streaming through the ESPN app, fuboTV, Sling TV and YouTube TV.

Can I watch the Alabama vs Auburn game for free?

Yes, through free trials on fuboTV, DirecTV Stream and YouTube TV, all of which include SEC Network.

Is the game on YouTube?

No free live stream is available on YouTube, but official highlights and press conferences post shortly after the game.

What was the result of the earlier exhibition between the two teams?

Alabama defeated Auburn in the first preseason exhibition, a game Steven Pearl described as "fiery" and instructive for his staff.

Where is the game being played?

Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, a neutral-site venue used for the charity exhibition series.