TCU, North Carolina to Open 2026 Season in Dublin

The 2026 college football season will open with North Carolina, coached by Bill Belichick in his first college role, facing TCU at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland, on August 29. This marks the first overseas game for both teams, with TCU designated as the home team after the game was moved from Fort Worth, Texas. Belichick, who joined UNC after a legendary NFL coaching career, described the event as a significant opportunity for the program to represent the university internationally. The matchup continues the recent tradition of staging college football season openers in Dublin, which began being held annually in 2022. Organizers and school officials have emphasized the value of the international setting for exposure and unique experiences for players and fans. The game will be the tenth college football fixture in Dublin, reflecting growing global interest in college football.