The 2026 college football season officially begins the weekend of Thursday, August 27, 2026 and runs through Sunday, August 30. Following Indiana’s historic run to the 2025-26 National Championship, the focus shifts to a Week 0 slate headlined by an international opener in Dublin, Ireland and an all-ACC clash. Most FBS programs kick off during Labor Day weekend (September 5), but Week 0 offers a high-stakes preview, with ESPN networks carrying the bulk of the slate from August 28 to 30. Here is your complete 2026 Week 0 guide, with confirmed kickoff times and TV.
2026 College Football Week 0 Schedule: Quick Facts
Last updated: August 17, 2026
- Dates: Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, August 30, 2026 (main slate Saturday, August 29)
- Marquee game: North Carolina vs TCU (Aer Lingus College Football Classic, Dublin), Sat Aug 29, 12 PM ET, ESPN
- All-ACC clash: NC State at Virginia, Sat Aug 29, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN/ACC Network
- TV networks: ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPNU, ACC Network, ESPN+
- Printable PDF: free download on this page
2026 College Football Week 0 Schedule & TV Times
Here’s the 2026 college football week 0 schedule for you. TV times get added as they get announced for you.
All times Eastern. This schedule will be updated as kickoff times and TV networks are finalized by the conferences.
Thursday, August 27, 2026
- Mercyhurst at Youngstown State | 6:00 PM | TBD
- Charleston Southern at Lindenwood | 7:00 PM | TBD
- Central Arkansas at UT Martin | TBD
- Eastern Illinois at Murray State | TBD
- Maine at Towson | TBD
- Stony Brook at Delaware State | TBD
- LIU at North Dakota | TBD
Friday, August 28, 2026
- Idaho at Cal Poly | 10:00 PM | ESPN
- Marist at New Haven | TBD
- New Hampshire at UAlbany | TBD
- Rhode Island at Merrimack | TBD
Saturday, August 29, 2026 (The Main Slate)
- Aer Lingus College Football Classic: North Carolina vs. TCU (Dublin, Ireland) | 12:00 PM | ESPN
- Birmingham Football Classic: Southern vs. Alabama State (Birmingham, AL) | 3:00 PM | ESPNU
- NC State at Virginia (all-ACC clash) | 3:30 PM | ESPN/ACC Network
- Sacramento State at Eastern Michigan | 6:30 PM | ESPN+
- FCS Kickoff: East Texas A&M at Mercer | 7:00 PM | ESPN
- Hawaii at Stanford | 7:00 PM | ACC Network
- MEAC/SWAC Challenge: Alabama A&M vs. Howard (Atlanta, GA) | 7:30 PM | ABC
- Prairie View A&M at Tarleton State | 9:00 PM | ESPN2
- New Mexico State at Florida State | TBD
- Memphis at UNLV | TBD
- North Alabama vs. Samford (Huntsville, AL) | TBD
- North Dakota State at UIW | TBD
- William & Mary at Villanova | TBD
- Chattanooga at West Georgia | TBD
Sunday, August 30, 2026
- Red Tails Classic: West Alabama vs. Tuskegee (Montgomery, AL) | 8:00 PM | ESPN2
[FREE DOWNLOAD] 2026 College Football Week 0 Printable Schedule (PDF)
Plan your first Saturday of the season. Our high-resolution printable schedule includes all international games, FCS matchups, and confirmed TV networks.
Key Storylines for Week 0 2026
International Opener Week 0 kicks off overseas: North Carolina and TCU head to Dublin, Ireland for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic (Sat, Aug 29, noon ET, ESPN). Back home, the marquee matchup is the all-ACC clash, NC State at Virginia (3:30 PM ET, ESPN/ACC Network).
The Hawaii Exemption Stanford’s matchup against Hawaii is a prime example of the “Hawaii Exemption.” This NCAA rule allows teams that play at Hawaii (or Hawaii itself) to schedule a 13th regular-season game, often resulting in these teams kicking off early in Week 0 to accommodate the extra travel and scheduling needs.
FCS Powerhouses on Center Stage With a smaller FBS slate, Week 0 is the premier window for the FCS. Watch for North Dakota State at UIW and the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta, which historically draws massive viewership on ABC.
Frequently Asked Questions: 2026 College Football Start Date
When is the first college football game of 2026? The first games of the 2026 season kick off on Thursday, August 27, 2026, featuring several FCS matchups. The first major FBS games take place on Saturday, August 29.
What is the Aer Lingus College Football Classic? It is an annual season-opening game played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. The 2026 matchup features North Carolina vs. TCU.
Where is the 2026 MEAC/SWAC Challenge? The game will be held at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 29, 2026, featuring Alabama A&M vs. Howard.
When does the rest of college football start? “Week 1” officially begins on Thursday, September 3, 2026, with the majority of the nation playing on Saturday, September 5 (Labor Day Weekend).
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Week 0 of the 2026 college football season?
Week 0 of the 2026 college football season runs Thursday, August 27 through Saturday, August 29, 2026, with the main slate on Saturday, August 29.
What is the biggest Week 0 game in 2026?
The headline Week 0 games are North Carolina vs TCU in Dublin, Ireland (the Aer Lingus College Football Classic) and the all-ACC clash, NC State at Virginia.
Is there a printable 2026 college football Week 0 schedule?
Yes. You can download a free printable 2026 college football Week 0 schedule PDF on this page, with every game, kickoff time, and TV network.
CFB Resources & Major Sports Resources
- 2027 College Football Playoff National Championship Date & Location
- Finalized 2026 World Cup 104-Match Schedule
- Printable 2026 MLB Master Schedule
- 2026 College Football Week 1 Schedule
- 2026 College Football Week 2 Schedule
Calendar news: the college football season changes in 2027 – see NCAA sets a standardized 14-week 2027 season and ends Week 0 waivers.
New for opening weekend: our 2026 college football Week 0 kickoff guide walks through every game to watch, start times, and where to find them on TV.
