The 2026 Atlantic Coast Conference football season will open on August 29, kicking off a slate of four Week 0 contests that spread across five campuses and an unprecedented venue.
An International Opening in Dublin
North Carolina will host TCU in Dublin, Ireland, marking the first time either program has played abroad. The matchup will showcase Tar Heels defensive standout Melkart Abou Jaoude, who recorded 10.5 sacks last season and anchors a unit that finished the year with a strong pass rush.
TCU will bring a fresh look at quarterback, with Harvard graduate Jaden Craig taking the snap after a 9‑4 campaign that culminated in a 30‑27 overtime win over No. 16 USC. His arrival signals a new era for the Horned Frogs, who hope to build on last season’s momentum.
In Charlottesville, Virginia, NC State and the Cavaliers will meet for the first ACC conference game between the programs, a rivalry that leans heavily in favor of the Wolfpack, who hold a 38‑22‑1 edge historically.
Florida State and New Mexico State will renew a series that has been dormant for six decades, with the Seminoles holding a 1‑0 lead in the all‑time matchup.
The ACC has announced Enhanced Instant Replay Access for two of the Week 0 games, giving fans in Raleigh and Tallahassee the ability to review key moments with greater clarity.
North Carolina’s offense will be led by Billy Edwards Jr., who after four seasons in the Big Ten is set to make his first start for the Tar Heels, adding a veteran presence to the backfield.
Stanford and Hawai’i will meet for the second straight year, a series that the Cardinal dominate at 4‑1, while the Rainbow Warriors look to flip the script on the West Coast clash.
Florida State’s standout receiver Duce Robinson is slated to return after logging over 1,000 receiving yards in 2025, a boost for an offense that aims to sustain its recent success.
Looking ahead, the ACC has secured a third Dublin fixture for 2027, with Pitt slated to travel to Ireland, continuing the conference’s experiment with global exposure.