The 2026 college football season will start with a matchup between the TCU Horned Frogs and the North Carolina Tar Heels in Dublin, Ireland. This game is set for Saturday at noon EDT at Aviva Stadium, and it will be part of an eight-game Week 0 schedule, with ESPN providing coverage.
TCU enters the game as a 9.5-point favorite, having posted a 9-4 record in each of the last two seasons, both of which ended with bowl victories. Under head coach Sonny Dykes, the team has achieved a 36-17 record in his first five seasons, including a trip to the national championship game in his first year.
North Carolina, led by coach Bill Belichick, is looking to bounce back from a challenging 4-8 season in 2025-26. Belichick has acknowledged the difficulties of preparing for an opening game, highlighting the uncertainties that both teams will face. He stated, "There are unknowns on our team, there are unknowns on our opponents," emphasizing that the real challenge will be revealed when the game begins.
In addition to the TCU-North Carolina game, the Saturday schedule features other matchups, including the No. 14 USC Trojans against the San Jose State Spartans and several other games across the country. Most FBS season openers will take place the following week, with notable games scheduled from Thursday through September 7.
