The 2026 college football season will start with a matchup between the TCU Horned Frogs and the North Carolina Tar Heels in Dublin, Ireland. Scheduled for Saturday at noon EDT, the game will take place at Aviva Stadium and will be broadcast on ESPN.
TCU, under head coach Sonny Dykes, is favored by 9.5 points. The Horned Frogs have recorded a 9-4 record in the last two seasons, finishing both with bowl victories. Dykes has a 36-17 record over his first five years, which includes a trip to the national championship game during his first season.
Conversely, North Carolina, coached by Bill Belichick, is aiming for improvement after a challenging 2025-26 season that ended with a 4-8 record. Belichick acknowledged the difficulties in preparing for the opening game, noting uncertainties for both his team and their opponents. He stated that the real test will emerge once the game begins.
In addition to the TCU vs. North Carolina game, other notable matchups on the same day include the No. 14 USC Trojans taking on the San Jose State Spartans and N.C. State competing against Virginia. Most FBS season openers are set for the following week, with numerous games scheduled from Thursday through September 7.
