The 2026 North Carolina Tar Heels football schedule opens with a historic overseas matchup against TCU in Dublin, Ireland on August 29. Head coach Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels then 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.
2026 North Carolina Tar Heels Football Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Aug 29 | TCU* | Neutral |
| BYE | Sep 5 | BYE WEEK | — |
| 2 | Sep 12 | East Tennessee State | Home |
| 3 | Sep 19 | @ Clemson | Away |
| BYE | Sep 26 | BYE WEEK | — |
| 5 | Oct 3 | Notre Dame | Home |
| 6 | Oct 10 | @ Pittsburgh | Away |
| 7 | Oct 17 | @ Duke | Away |
| 8 | Oct 24 | Syracuse | Home |
| 9 | Oct 31 | Miami (FL) | Home |
| 10 | Nov 7 | @ UConn | Away |
| 11 | Nov 14 | Louisville | Home |
| 12 | Nov 21 | @ Virginia | Away |
| 13 | Nov 28 | NC State | Home |
UNC’s 2026 schedule features two bye weeks — an unusual arrangement that gives the team extra recovery time. 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.
