The Blue Devils will open the 2026 campaign with a pair of prime‑time Friday night games that could reshape the Atlantic Coast Conference landscape.
Virginia Returns to Charlottesville for a Friday Night Rematch
The rematch with Virginia is scheduled for October 23 in Charlottesville, where the Cavaliers had beaten Duke 34‑17 earlier in the season before the Blue Devils rallied to win the conference title game in overtime.
On November 20, Clemson will host Duke at Wallace‑Wade Stadium, looking to bounce back from a 7‑6 season that concluded with a Pinstripe Bowl loss to Penn State.
Duke’s season opener against Tulane on September 5 will test the team after a 34‑27 defeat to the Green Wave in their last meeting.
Head coach Manny Diaz is overseeing preparations, while Clemson’s veteran manager Dabo Swinney hopes to translate his program’s depth into a late‑season surge.
The Friday night lights promise a compelling slate of games that could define the Blue Devils’ push for an ACC championship.