UPDATE (June 3, 2026)
The planned College Football Brasil event has been canceled. NC State and Virginia will now open the season in Charlottesville, Va. Additional details will be added as they become available.
The first-ever college football game to be played in South America is not going to happen after all. NC State and Virginia officials announced on June 3 that plans for the College Football Brasil game in Rio de Janeiro have been scrapped.
The Wolfpack and Cavaliers still will play each other, most likely on Saturday, Aug. 29 as planned. But the contest has been moved to Charlottesville, VA, meaning it now becomes a true road game for NCSU instead of a neutral site contest. As before, it will count in the ACC standings as a league matchup.
🔄 Last Updated: June 3, 2026
🏟️ Game Information (updated 6/3/26)
NC State at Virginia
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time: TBA
Location: Scott Stadium (Charlottesville, VA)
TV/Stream: TBA
📚 Series History
- NC State leads 38-22
- Last meeting: NC State 35, Virginia 31 (September 6, 2025)
- Current streak: NC State has won 4 straight (2018-2025)
Previewing the Matchup
Virginia is coming off one of its most successful seasons in recent memory, advancing to the ACC championship game before falling to Duke. NC State returned to a bowl game for the sixth year in a row, finishing with a convincing win over Memphis in the Gasparilla to put the bow on an 8-5 campaign.
The Pack returns All-ACC caliber quarterback CJ Bailey, running back Duke Scott and multiple starters from the offensive line. But there are several key pieces to replace on both sides of the ball in Dave Doeren’s 14th season at the helm in Raleigh.
Virginia will be breaking in a new starting quarterback, with former Missouri signal caller Beau Pribula considered the front-runner coming out of spring. But the Cavaliers appear to have turned the corner as a program under coach Tony Elliott.
🔍 Why This Game Matters
Most pundits who follow the ACC consider Miami, Louisville and SMU as the favorites entering the 2026 season (and Clemson/Florida State are always a threat). Both NC State and Virginia are listed among second tier teams hoping to be spoilers, with Paul Myerberg from USA Today Sports putting the Wolfpack fourth overall in his spring power ratings.
“The schedule is nearly perfect,” Myerberg wrote. “The Wolfpack get Louisville at home and close the year with Stanford, California, Duke, Syracuse, North Carolina and Florida State.”
It’s too early to call the game a must-win for the Wolfpack. But getting off to a winning start is certainly paramount if NC State hopes to run with the top horses in the ACC this fall.
🌎 The Brazil Game That Never Was
The ACC and ESPN announced the matchup over the winter as part of a broader effort to expand college football’s international reach. The game was set to mark the first NCAA football contest played in South America and follow previous international events in Ireland and Germany involving major college programs.
“This will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for our team and program and will be something our guys will remember for their entire lives,” Doeren had said when the game was announced last December. “We are looking forward to experiencing the culture of Brazil while also providing fans in Rio an exciting football game against a great opponent.”
NC State officials released this statement on June 3 while announcing the cancelation of the Brazil game:
“Following extensive review with operational partners and international stakeholders, the 2026 NC State at Virginia football game, originally scheduled to be played in Brazil, will be relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia, for this conference matchup. This change follows communication from Athlete Advantage, which informed the ACC and participating schools that the event could not be conducted.
“Originally scheduled to be played in Week 0, the ACC, NC State and Virginia are working with the NCAA and ESPN to confirm the game will remain on the originally scheduled date of Saturday, August 29. Fans who purchased tickets or travel packages for the event through the official College Football Brasil website will receive refunds. Refund administration is being coordinated through applicable ticketing, payment processing, and event partners.”
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📝 Game Recap
Check back after the game for a recap, stats and observations.
