College Football Week 0 Schedule 2026: Games, Times and TV Channels

The college football Week 0 schedule for 2026 provides an early international start to the new season. Division I action begins Thursday, August 27, before a larger group of FBS games takes place Saturday, August 29. The most prominent matchup sends North Carolina and TCU to Dublin, Ireland, for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. The Week 0 slate also includes the first College Football Brasil game, North Dakota State’s FBS debut and an important Memphis-UNLV matchup between programs hoping to compete for conference championships.

All times below are listed in Eastern Time. Television assignments remain subject to late changes, so viewers should confirm the schedule through the networks and participating schools before kickoff.

College Football Week 0 Schedule 2026

Thursday, August 27

• Mercyhurst at Youngstown State — 6 p.m. ET
• Drake at an announced Week 0 opponent — 7:30 p.m. ET , ESPN+

The Thursday schedule is centered primarily on FCS programs.

It gives college football an earlier opening before the nationally televised FBS games arrive on Saturday.

Saturday, August 29

• North Carolina vs. TCU — Noon, ESPN — Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
• NC State vs. Virginia — 3:30 p.m., ESPN — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Jacksonville State at North Dakota State — 5:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
• Hawaii at Stanford — 7 p.m., ACC Network
• Alabama A&M vs. Howard — 7:30 p.m., ABC — Atlanta, Georgia
• Memphis at UNLV — 10 p.m., Fox

1Additional FCS and nonconference games may be added to updated network listings.

The NCAA’s central television schedule should be treated as the primary reference as August approaches.

North Carolina vs. TCU Opens the FBS Season

North Carolina and TCU will meet at noon in Dublin in the most visible Week 0 game. The matchup continues the Aer Lingus College Football Classic’s role as an international opening event. It also creates a repeat of the programs’ 2025 season-opening meeting, although the 2026 edition takes place on neutral ground rather than in Chapel Hill.

North Carolina enters another important season under Bill Belichick. The program will be expected to show progress after the first year of his college coaching project, particularly in roster development and offensive consistency. TCU offers a meaningful early test. The Horned Frogs have enough talent and experience to expose communication problems that often affect teams in their first game.

The Dublin setting adds travel and preparation challenges. Both teams must manage the time change, altered practice schedule and unfamiliar stadium environment before playing a game that could influence how their seasons are evaluated.

NC State and Virginia Make History in Brazil

NC State and Virginia will play at 3:30 p.m. in Rio de Janeiro in the inaugural College Football Brasil event. Although both schools belong to the ACC, the game is part of the league schedule rather than a traditional nonconference contest. It nevertheless provides one of the most unusual settings of the opening weekend.

The matchup also carries real competitive value. An early conference loss can immediately reduce a team’s margin for error in the ACC race, while the winner returns from Brazil with both a league victory and national attention. The game is scheduled for ESPN immediately after North Carolina-TCU, creating an international doubleheader on the network.

North Dakota State Begins Its FBS Era

Jacksonville State’s visit to North Dakota State is one of the most historically interesting games on the schedule. North Dakota State begins its first season as an FBS program after building one of the most successful dynasties in FCS history.

Jacksonville State made a similar transition earlier and therefore provides an appropriate first opponent. The programs also met in the 2015 FCS national championship game, when North Dakota State won 37-10. Their new meeting takes place under very different circumstances, with both now competing at the highest subdivision. 2The Fargodome atmosphere should give North Dakota State a strong home-field advantage, but Jacksonville State has more recent experience managing a full FBS schedule.

Memphis at UNLV Could Affect the Playoff Race

Memphis and UNLV close the major television schedule at 10 p.m. on Fox. The game could become important in determining which team from outside the traditional power conferences builds the strongest College Football Playoff résumé.

The expanded playoff guarantees access to the highest-ranked eligible conference champion, making high-quality nonconference wins especially valuable. Memphis enters a new phase under coach Charles Huff, while UNLV continues trying to establish itself as a consistent Western contender. Because both programs may have limited opportunities against nationally respected opponents, a Week 0 loss could remain part of the selection discussion for the entire season.

HBCU Spotlight on ABC

Alabama A&M and Howard will meet in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff in Atlanta. The annual event highlights two historically Black college football programs on a national broadcast.

ABC’s 7:30 p.m. window gives the matchup a prominent place in the opening-week schedule. The result does not affect the FBS playoff race, but the game remains an important showcase for HBCU football, bands, alumni communities and players seeking national exposure.

What to Know Before Week 0

Week 0 is smaller than the following Labor Day weekend, but the games are not exhibitions. Results count toward official records, conference standings where applicable and postseason eligibility. The schedule also offers several different storylines: international expansion, a conference game in Brazil, North Dakota State’s move to the FBS level and a possible playoff résumé matchup in Las Vegas.

North Carolina-TCU should attract the largest national audience, while Memphis-UNLV may have the greatest long-term effect on the race among non-power conference teams. Kickoff times and channels are accurate based on announcements available through July 29, 2026. Fans should check official school schedules and network listings for any changes before August 27. Sources: NCAA.com, “When does the 2026 college football season start?” ESPN Press Room, 2026 early-season college football schedule announcement.

ACC Network, Weeks 0-3 television schedule.1. 2. 3. 3University of Memphis official 2026 football schedule. UNLV Athletics official 2026 football schedule.