The 2026 NCAA college football season officially opens Saturday with the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland, featuring a matchup between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the TCU Horned Frogs.
This marks the second consecutive year the two teams are meeting to start their campaigns. In their previous Week 1 encounter last season, TCU secured a decisive 48-14 victory over North Carolina. The game is also significant as it begins Bill Belichick's second year as head coach for the Tar Heels.
The game is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29, with a kickoff time of 12 p.m. ET. It will be played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Last season, North Carolina finished with a 4-8 record, placing 14th in the ACC standings. TCU concluded their season with a 9-4 record, securing a 9th-place finish in the Big 12 and ending the season ranked No. 25 in the AP Poll.
Fans looking to watch the season opener can find it on ESPN. For those without traditional cable, streaming options are available. DIRECTV offers a five-day free trial for new subscribers, which includes access to ESPN as part of its Choice package, featuring over 125 channels.