Carolina Football is going international.

The Tar Heels will face TCU in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland to open the 2026 regular season. The game is scheduled for August 29, 2026 in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

“We’re grateful to be selected to participate in the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic,” said UNC head coach Bill Belichick. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for our program and we’re excited to represent the university and our fans on an international stage.”

The game will mark the second straight season the Tar Heels and Horned Frogs will face off in the opener. TCU will visit Kenan Stadium the night of September 1 to kick off the 2025 season. The game in 2026 was originally scheduled to be played on the TCU campus in Fort Worth, TX.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for our student-athletes, coaches and staff to enjoy a terrific educational and cultural experience while showcasing the Carolina brand internationally,” said UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham. “We appreciate being chosen for this event by Aer Lingus and thank John Anthony and his staff for making this possible. We look forward to having our alumni and fans join us in Ireland and cheer us on in person for what will be a memorable and special trip.”

UNC will be fourth ACC team to compete in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Boston College, Georgia Tech and Florida State have all played in the game. The game will mark the first time the Tar Heels have ever played outside United States.

More information on the game can be found here. Travel packages will become available Thursday, May 8.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications

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