2026 Season Opener in Ireland: TCU vs North Carolina
The 2026 college football season will begin with a game between TCU and North Carolina in Dublin, Ireland.
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is set to take place at Aviva Stadium on Aug. 29, 2026.
This will mark the first overseas game for both universities.
Tar Heels' first-year head coach Bill Belichick expressed his excitement for the opportunity to represent the university and fans on an international stage.
Although the game was originally scheduled for Sept. 5, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas, the Horned Frogs will be the designated home team.
According to TCU athletic director Mike Buddie, this game is more than just a football game. It is a chance to showcase the university's brand globally and provide a unique educational experience for the student-athletes.
In the 2024 Aer Lingus Classic, Georgia Tech narrowly defeated Florida State 24-21 in front of a crowd of 47,998 in Dublin.
This year's matchup in the Irish capital will feature Iowa State and Kansas State on Aug. 23.
