The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and its television partners have dropped the game times and TV networks for the opening weeks of the 2026 football season. The University of North Carolina Tar Heels, always known for their history and that stubborn competitive streak, are gearing up for some big matchups right out of the gate.
The season starts with an international opener in Dublin, Ireland. Plus, there’s the 100th season of Kenan Stadium coming up—so, yeah, it’s shaping up to be a pretty memorable year. Let’s take a closer look at what’s on tap for Tar Heel fans.
Season Opener: Tar Heels vs. TCU in Dublin, Ireland
The Tar Heels kick off their 2026 campaign on a huge stage, playing TCU in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. That game’s set for Saturday, August 29, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.
Kickoff is at noon ET (or 5 p.m. local time), and it’s live on ESPN. There’s something special about starting the season overseas, especially with a high-profile opponent like TCU.
Home Opener Against East Tennessee State
After a bye week on September 5, Carolina hosts East Tennessee State on Saturday, September 12, at Kenan Stadium. This is actually the first time these two teams have ever faced off.
Kickoff is noon ET on the ACC Network. The home opener also kicks off the 100th season celebration for Kenan Stadium, so expect a bit more buzz than usual.
ACC Opener at Clemson
Week three sends the Tar Heels to Clemson for their ACC opener on Saturday, September 19. Noon kickoff, ESPN.
It’s a tough early test—Carolina faces the Tigers for the second straight year to start league play. And, just a note, this is their first trip to Clemson since 2023.
Significant Matchups and Bye Weeks
After Clemson, there’s another bye on September 26. Then, it’s a big one: Notre Dame comes to Kenan Stadium on October 3.
That’s a matchup that’ll get people talking. The rest of October looks like this:
- October 10: At Pitt (Acrisure Stadium)
- October 17: At Duke (Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium)
- October 24: Vs. Syracuse (Kenan Stadium)
- October 31: Vs. Miami (Kenan Stadium)
Non-Conference Road Game at UConn
On November 7, Carolina steps out of conference to play UConn on the road. That one’s at Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, noon kickoff, and it’ll be on CBS Sports.
It’s been a while—Carolina hasn’t played in East Hartford, Connecticut, since 2009.
Celebrating 100 Years of Kenan Stadium
This is the 100th season for Kenan Stadium, and UNC’s planning a bunch of special events, upgrades, and fan experiences to mark the milestone. It’s a chance to honor some of the stadium’s best moments and make game days even better.
Stadium Upgrades
Biggest changes? Two new Daktronics videoboards are going up on the east and west ends. Also, a new sound system with upgraded speakers is coming in, so hopefully you’ll actually be able to hear the announcements this year.
All these improvements are meant to give fans a better experience, plain and simple.
Remaining Home Games and Season Tickets
The home schedule wraps up with Louisville on November 14 and then NC State on November 28. That NC State game—always a rivalry—feels like the right way to close out the regular season at Kenan.
Purchase Tickets
Season tickets for 2026 are already on sale, and single-game tickets will be up for grabs starting Tuesday, June 2. If you want in, head to the official website of UNC Athletics.
Full 2026 Carolina Football Schedule
- 8/29: Vs. TCU (Dublin, Ireland) | Noon | ESPN
- 9/5: Bye Week
- 9/12: Vs. East Tennessee State (Kenan Stadium) | Noon | ACC Network
- 9/19: At Clemson* (Memorial Stadium) | Noon | ESPN
- 9/26: Bye Week
- 10/3: Vs. Notre Dame (Kenan Stadium)
- 10/10: At Pitt* (Acrisure Stadium)
- 10/17: At Duke* (Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium)
- 10/24: Vs. Syracuse* (Kenan Stadium)
- 10/31: Vs. Miami* (Kenan Stadium)
- 11/7: At UConn (Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field) | Noon | CBS Sports
- 11/14: Vs. Louisville* (Kenan Stadium)
- 11/21: At Virginia* (Scott Stadium)
- 11/28: Vs. NC State* (Kenan Stadium)
The ACC keeps dropping game times all season, usually on a 12- or six-day notice. It’s honestly a little unpredictable, so fans should probably check in often for updates.
Honestly, this 2026 Carolina football schedule looks wild—there’s a mix of tough games, some classic rivalry energy, and a few surprises thrown in. If you’re thinking about going, you might want to grab your tickets early and catch the Tar Heels in action.
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