If you’re asking about the U.S. sports schedule right now on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, there is an important distinction between games scheduled today and games actually being played at this moment.
At approximately 4:35 p.m. ET, the major MLB, NBA, and NHL games scheduled for tonight have not yet started. The first major MLB game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET, while most NHL and NBA action begins at 7:00 p.m. ET or later.
So the short answer is: there are no major MLB, NBA, or NHL games underway at this moment in the evening U.S. schedule; the main action begins later today.
The Next Major Game Is Dodgers vs. Braves
The first major game on the schedule is the Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves MLB Division Series game at 6:00 p.m. ET.
MLB’s official game listing confirms the scheduled start time and national FS1 coverage.
That makes the Dodgers-Braves game the first major event to watch if you are checking the schedule around the late afternoon.
NBA Games Start Later
The NBA’s preseason schedule begins at 7:00 p.m. ET with Brooklyn visiting Charlotte.
Three more preseason games follow:
- New Orleans at Oklahoma City — 8:00 p.m. ET
- Denver at Utah — 9:00 p.m. ET
- Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State — 10:00 p.m. ET
These times are listed in the current NBA schedule.
Because these are preseason games, they are useful for fans who want basketball action but do not carry the same competitive significance as regular-season games.
NHL Has a Full Slate
The NHL provides the largest number of major games tonight.
Nine games are scheduled, with five beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET. They include Nashville-Toronto, Carolina-Montreal, Ottawa-Detroit, Utah-New Jersey, and Minnesota-Buffalo.
The Islanders-Rangers game starts at 7:30 p.m., St. Louis-Chicago at 8:00 p.m., Vegas-Seattle at 9:40 p.m., and Florida-Los Angeles at 10:00 p.m. ET.
What Is Actually “Right Now”?
Sports schedules are time-sensitive.
A game listed for today is not necessarily happening right now. The phrase “right now” normally means a live or currently underway event.
For that reason, the best way to answer this question is to compare the current clock with the official scheduled start times.
If you’re checking around 4:35 p.m. ET today, the major evening games have not begun yet. The MLB postseason begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by a large cluster of NHL and NBA games.
Today’s Schedule at a Glance
| Start time ET | Event |
|---|---|
| 6:00 p.m. | Dodgers at Braves — MLB |
| 7:00 p.m. | Nets at Hornets — NBA |
| 7:00 p.m. | Five NHL games |
| 7:30 p.m. | Islanders at Rangers — NHL |
| 8:00 p.m. | Pelicans at Thunder — NBA |
| 8:00 p.m. | Blues at Blackhawks — NHL |
| 9:00 p.m. | Nuggets at Jazz — NBA |
| 9:30 p.m. | Brewers at Padres — MLB |
| 9:40 p.m. | Golden Knights at Kraken — NHL |
| 10:00 p.m. | Lakers at Warriors — NBA |
| 10:00 p.m. | Panthers at Kings — NHL |
What If You’re Watching From Another U.S. Time Zone?
The listed times are Eastern Time.
For viewers on the West Coast, a 6:00 p.m. ET baseball game begins at 3:00 p.m. PT.
That means a person in California could consider the Dodgers-Braves game to be starting much sooner in their local evening schedule.
The same conversion applies to all of the NBA and NHL games.
What Is the Biggest Game Tonight?
That depends on the sport you follow.
For baseball fans, the MLB Division Series games are the most significant because they are postseason contests.
For hockey fans, the nine-game NHL schedule provides plenty of choices.
For basketball fans, the Lakers-Warriors preseason matchup is a prominent late game, although preseason games do not have the same standings implications as regular-season games.
Where Can You Watch?
The Dodgers-Braves and Brewers-Padres NLDS games are scheduled for FS1. FOX also says its 2026 NLDS coverage is available through FOX and FS1, with live streaming through FOX One.
NHL and NBA availability varies by matchup and market. Some games are on national channels, while others are carried through regional networks or league streaming services.
Why Live Sports Searches Change So Quickly
A sports schedule can change because of postponements, broadcast changes, overtime, doubleheaders, or other circumstances.
That is why a current schedule should always be checked close to game time if you need to know whether a specific game is actually live.
For today’s major U.S. schedule, however, the listed start times provide a clear picture: the largest games are scheduled for the evening rather than the late afternoon.
Bottom Line
If you’re checking at about 4:35 p.m. ET on October 6, 2026, the major U.S. sports games are not yet underway. The first major event is Dodgers-Braves at 6:00 p.m. ET, followed by a busy evening of MLB, NHL, and NBA preseason action.
For a truly live “right now” answer, always use the current game clock and live-score information rather than relying only on a daily schedule.