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The 2026 NC State Wolfpack football schedule opens with a historic international game in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on August 29, where the Wolfpack face Virginia in a neutral-site Week 0 matchup. Head coach Dave Doeren then guides his squad through a competitive ACC slate with key home games against Louisville, Wake Forest, Duke, and Syracuse.
2026 NC State Wolfpack Football Schedule
| Wk | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat, Aug 29 | @ Virginia Cavaliers Neutral site | 3:30 PM | ESPN |
| 2 | Fri, Sep 11 | vs Richmond Spiders | 7:00 PM | ESPNU |
| 3 | Sat, Sep 19 | @ Vanderbilt Commodores | 12:45 PM | SECN |
| 4 | Sat, Sep 26 | vs App State Mountaineers | TBD | TBD |
| 5 | Sat, Oct 3 | vs Louisville Cardinals | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Sat, Oct 10 | vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons | TBD | TBD |
| Open Date – Bye Week (Sat, Oct 17) | ||||
| 8 | Fri, Oct 23 | @ Stanford Cardinal | 10:30 PM | ESPN |
| 9 | Sat, Oct 31 | vs California Golden Bears | TBD | TBD |
| 10 | Sat, Nov 7 | vs Duke Blue Devils | TBD | TBD |
| 11 | Sat, Nov 14 | vs Syracuse Orange | TBD | TBD |
| 12 | Sat, Nov 21 | @ Florida State Seminoles | TBD | TBD |
| 13 | Sat, Nov 28 | @ North Carolina Tar Heels | TBD | TBD |
All times Eastern. TBD = kickoff/TV not yet announced. Updated May 27, 2026.
* Played at a neutral site in Sao Paulo, Brazil
After the Brazil opener and a bye week, NC State plays Richmond at home before conference opponents Louisville and Wake Forest in back-to-back home games in early October. A road trip to Stanford in late October is the most challenging away game on the schedule. The season closes with back-to-back road trips to Florida State and North Carolina, making late November execution critical for bowl positioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NC State open the 2026 season at a neutral site?
Yes, NC State opens the 2026 season on August 29 at a neutral site in Sao Paulo, Brazil, against the Virginia Cavaliers. The game is part of a special ACC international series bringing college football to South America. It gives the Wolfpack an early conference game in a unique global setting before their home opener the following month.
Who is the NC State head coach in 2026?
Dave Doeren enters his 14th season as head coach of the NC State Wolfpack in 2026. Doeren has built the program into a consistent ACC contender since arriving in 2013, guiding the Wolfpack to multiple bowl victories. He is one of the longest-tenured head coaches in the conference and has made NC State a reliable upper-half ACC program.
Where do the NC State Wolfpack play home games in 2026?
NC State plays home games at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. The stadium seats approximately 57,500 fans and has served as the Wolfpack home since 1966. Carter-Finley is known for its passionate fan base and has been a consistent home-field advantage for the program during its run of ACC competitiveness.
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Resource Hub
NC State Wolfpack
Everything you need for the 2026 college football season.
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| → 2026 College Football Schedule Full FBS slate with kickoff times and TV networks. |
| → 2026-27 College Football Playoff Bracket The 12-team bracket, dates, and projected matchups. |
| → 2026-27 Bowl Game Schedule Every bowl game, date, and matchup in one place. |
| → ACC Football Standings Live ACC standings, records, and results. |
