UNC football is going international in 2026. The Tar Heels will play abroad for the first time in program history next August, competing in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic vs. TCU in Dublin, Ireland. The contest is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026 (week zero) at Aviva Stadium.
The contest had originally been set for Sept. 5, 2026 at TCU.
“We have a globally recognized university and athletics program that exemplifies excellence in all we do,” UNC Chancellor Lee H. Roberts said in a release. “We are proud to have our student-athletes represent our university on this international stage and for our fans and alumni to cheer on the Tar Heels in Ireland. This is a remarkable educational and cultural opportunity for our students, our program and our community.”
Pack your Passports! The Tar Heels are coming to the Emerald Isle in 2026! pic.twitter.com/ZPoEutfCaE — Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) April 22, 2025
The 2026 Tar Heels vs. Horned Frogs showdown will be the fifth consecutive year that Dublin will host a college football game. It will come the weekend before Labor Day, which is Sept. 7 next year.
UNC will open the 2025 season against TCU as well. The Tar Heels will host TCU on Monday, Sept. 1 at Kenan Stadium in a nationally televised night game to mark the debut of new head coach Bill Belichick.
While coaching the New England Patriots, Belichick coached regular season games in London and Mexico City.
“”We’re grateful to be selected to participate in the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic,” Bill Belichick said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for our program and we’re excited to represent the university and our fans on an international stage.”
The first college football game played in Ireland came in 1988 in what was known as the Emerald Isle Classic. Boston College beat Army 38-24.
Games were played in Ireland in 1989, 1993, 1996, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Georgia Tech upset Florida State 24-21 in last year’s week zero game. This year’s contest will feature a Big 12 match-up between Iowa State and Kansas State on Saturday, Aug. 23.
UNC future non-conference opponents set for 2026-28
North Carolina has its non-conference schedule set for the next three seasons. In addition to the Ireland trip in 2026, the Tar Heels will host East Tennessee State (Sept. 12), UConn (Sept. 19) and Notre Dame (Oct. 3).
In 2027, UNC will host UCF (Sept. 4) and North Alabama (Sept. 25) and will visit Purdue (Sept. 11) and UConn (Sept. 18).
The 2028 non-conference slate will include home games against Kennesaw State (Sept. 9) and North Carolina A&T (Sept. 16) and road trips to South Carolina (Sept. 2) and James Madison (Sept. 23).
Other future non-conference foes include South Carolina (home in 2029), Kennesaw State (home in 2030), Notre Dame (2030, 2031 and 2036) and Purdue (home in 2031).
Explore UNC’s full 2025 schedule, plus view all future non-conference opponents HERE.
