The 2026 North Carolina Tar Heels football schedule opens with a historic overseas matchup against TCU in Dublin, Ireland on August 29. The Tar Heels navigate a challenging ACC slate highlighted by home games against Notre Dame (October 3) and Miami (October 31), making Chapel Hill one of the more exciting destinations in college football this fall. The season begins on August 29 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin against TCU.
2026 North Carolina Tar Heels Football Schedule
| Wk | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat, Aug 29 | @ TCU Horned Frogs Neutral site | 12:00 PM | ESPN |
| 2 | Sat, Sep 12 | vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers | TBD | TBD |
| 3 | Sat, Sep 19 | @ Clemson Tigers | TBD | TBD |
| Open Date – Bye Week (Sat, Sep 26) | ||||
| 5 | Sat, Oct 3 | vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Sat, Oct 10 | @ Pittsburgh Panthers | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sat, Oct 17 | @ Duke Blue Devils | TBD | TBD |
| 8 | Sat, Oct 24 | vs Syracuse Orange | TBD | TBD |
| 9 | Sat, Oct 31 | vs Miami Hurricanes | TBD | TBD |
| 10 | Sat, Nov 7 | @ UConn Huskies | TBD | TBD |
| 11 | Sat, Nov 14 | vs Louisville Cardinals | TBD | TBD |
| 12 | Sat, Nov 21 | @ Virginia Cavaliers | TBD | TBD |
| 13 | Sat, Nov 28 | vs NC State Wolfpack | TBD | TBD |
All times Eastern. TBD = kickoff/TV not yet announced. Updated May 2026.
UNC’s 2026 schedule includes two bye weeks, an unusual arrangement that provides extra recovery time across the fall. Signature home games include Notre Dame on October 3 and Miami on October 31, while road challenges await at Clemson (September 19), Pittsburgh (October 10), Duke (October 17), UConn (November 7), and Virginia (November 21). The season closes with the rivalry game against NC State on November 28.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does North Carolina play in 2026?
UNC opens the 2026 season on August 29 in Dublin, Ireland against TCU. Key home games include Notre Dame (October 3), Syracuse (October 24), Miami (October 31), and Louisville (November 14). Road games include Clemson (September 19), Duke (October 17), and the NC State rivalry on November 28.
Why is UNC playing in Dublin in 2026?
North Carolina is part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic series, which hosts American college football games at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. The 2026 matchup pits UNC against TCU in the season opener on August 29.
Who is the North Carolina head coach in 2026?
Bill Belichick serves as the North Carolina Tar Heels head coach in 2026. Belichick won six Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots before taking the UNC job, bringing an unprecedented level of NFL pedigree to the college game and significant national attention to Chapel Hill.
