The 2026 Atlantic Coast Conference football season opens on August 29, kicking off a slate that blends tradition with a bold global push.
A Dublin Opener
The centerpiece is the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, where North Carolina will host TCU at Aviva Stadium. The noon ET kickoff will be televised by ESPN, marking the first regular‑season ACC game ever played on Irish soil.
Other early‑week matchups include NC State’s trip to Virginia, a relocated contest that was originally slated for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a clash between New Mexico State and Florida State, as well as Stanford’s home game against Hawaii, both slated for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN or the ACC Network.
More Games, More Replay
The conference is rolling out an expanded Enhanced Instant Replay Access program, now covering 19 games in the first three weeks and at least 27 contests throughout the season. New cameras installed in the Game Day Operations Center will feed live audio from replay discussions, giving viewers a deeper look at officiating decisions.
ACC schools will also play a record 25 non‑conference games, two‑thirds of them against Power Five opponents or bowl‑eligible teams, underscoring the league’s ambition to test itself against the nation’s toughest competition.
A Labor Day Tradition
The league continues to dominate Labor Day weekend with five straight ACC games, highlighted by a showdown at Florida State that traditionally anchors the holiday schedule. The championship game will later air on ABC at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium, extending the network’s partnership with the ACC for a 14th straight year.
Overall, the 2026 season promises a mix of international exposure, technological enhancements, and a packed non‑conference slate that could reshape perceptions of the conference’s depth and reach.