The 2026 college football season will begin with a matchup between the TCU Horned Frogs and the North Carolina Tar Heels at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. The game is set for noon EDT and will be broadcast on ESPN. This contest is part of an eight-game Week 0 slate.
TCU enters the game as a 9.5-point favorite, having recorded 9-4 seasons in the past two years, both of which ended with bowl victories. Under head coach Sonny Dykes, the team has achieved a 36-17 record over five seasons, including a trip to the national championship game in his first year.
Conversely, North Carolina, coached by Bill Belichick, is looking to rebound from a challenging 2025-26 season, finishing with a 4-8 record. Belichick noted the difficulties of preparing for the opening game, highlighting the uncertainties both teams face.
Other notable games on the same day include the No. 14 USC Trojans against the San Jose State Spartans and matchups featuring N.C. State, North Dakota State, and Florida State. Most FBS season openers will occur the following week, with several key games scheduled from Thursday through September 7.
