The ACC is shaking things up in a big way. On Tuesday, the conference officially revealed its 2026 football league opponents, marking a pivotal step in its transition to a nine-game conference schedule and a broader commitment to scheduling at least 10 games each year against Power Four opponents. This move isn’t just about aligning with the other major conferences - it’s about creating a more competitive and consistent football product across a now 17-team landscape.
A New Era for ACC Football
Let’s start with the big picture. Back in September, the ACC’s athletic directors gave overwhelming support to a model that includes nine league games and a minimum of 10 Power Four matchups per season. That plan is now fully in motion, with the league introducing the new structure through a transitional 2026 season.
Twelve teams will play a 9+1 schedule - nine conference games plus at least one Power Four non-conference opponent. The remaining five will go with an 8+2 setup - eight league games and two Power Four non-conference games. This approach gives schools some flexibility to honor existing non-conference contracts while still pushing toward the ACC’s long-term scheduling vision.
Starting in 2027, the model tightens up even further. Sixteen teams will play nine ACC games every year, while one team each season will play eight league games and two Power Four opponents outside the conference. That rotation helps ensure that the league hits its Power Four minimum while managing the logistical challenge of having 17 football-playing members.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just a numbers game. The move to nine conference games brings the ACC in line with the SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12 - all of which are embracing more high-stakes, in-league matchups. It also ups the ante for teams trying to navigate the College Football Playoff landscape, where strength of schedule is more important than ever.
The ACC’s unique footprint - stretching coast to coast with the additions of Cal, Stanford, and SMU - makes this scheduling model all the more crucial. Balancing travel, competitiveness, and traditional rivalries is no small task. But this structure aims to do just that, ensuring every team gets a fair shake over a multi-year cycle.
What to Expect in 2026
Let’s break down who’s playing who in this transitional year. Here’s how the 9+1 teams stack up:
California
- Home: Clemson, Pitt, Stanford, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
- Away: NC State, SMU, Syracuse, Virginia
The Golden Bears jump right into the ACC fire with a home slate that includes Clemson and a rivalry tilt with Stanford. Road trips to NC State and Virginia will test their travel legs early.
Duke
- Home: Boston College, Clemson, North Carolina, Stanford
- Away: Georgia Tech, Miami, NC State, Virginia, Wake Forest
Duke’s got a rivalry game with UNC at home and a tough road swing that includes Miami and NC State. Not an easy path, but a great measuring stick for the Blue Devils.
Louisville
- Home: Florida State, Pitt, SMU, Stanford, Wake Forest
- Away: Georgia Tech, North Carolina, NC State, Syracuse
Hosting Florida State and Stanford gives Louisville a high-profile home schedule, while road trips to Chapel Hill and Raleigh could define their season.
Miami
- Home: Boston College, Duke, Florida State, Pitt, Virginia Tech
- Away: Clemson, North Carolina, Stanford, Wake Forest
The Hurricanes get Florida State at home - always a must-watch - but also face a brutal road slate with Clemson and Stanford.
NC State
- Home: California, Duke, Louisville, Syracuse, Wake Forest
- Away: Florida State, North Carolina, Stanford, Virginia
Five home games in Raleigh, but the Wolfpack will have to earn it on the road, especially with trips to Tallahassee and Palo Alto.
Pitt
- Home: Florida State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Syracuse
- Away: Boston College, California, Louisville, Miami, Virginia Tech
A balanced mix for Pitt, with some heavy hitters at home and long-distance travel to Cal and Miami.
SMU
- Home: Boston College, California, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
- Away: Florida State, Louisville, Stanford, Syracuse
The Mustangs get a strong home slate in their first full ACC run, while road games at FSU and Stanford will be key challenges.
Stanford
- Home: Georgia Tech, Miami, NC State, SMU
- Away: California, Duke, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
Stanford hosts Miami and NC State in what should be marquee matchups, plus a trip across the Bay to face Cal.
Syracuse
- Home: California, Clemson, Louisville, SMU
- Away: Boston College, North Carolina, NC State, Pitt, Virginia
A tough road schedule for the Orange, but they’ll get Clemson at home in what could be a season-defining game.
Virginia
- Home: California, Duke, North Carolina, NC State, Syracuse
- Away: Florida State, SMU, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
UVA’s home schedule is loaded with ACC bluebloods, while the road includes a trip to rival Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech
- Home: Georgia Tech, Pitt, Stanford, Virginia
- Away: Boston College, California, Clemson, Miami, SMU
The Hokies have a coast-to-coast schedule, including a long trip to Cal and a rivalry showdown with UVA in Blacksburg.
Wake Forest
- Home: Duke, Miami, Stanford, Virginia
- Away: California, Georgia Tech, Louisville, NC State, SMU
Wake gets some marquee home games but will be racking up frequent flyer miles with trips to Cal and SMU.
Teams Playing an Eight-Game ACC Schedule in 2026
These five programs will play eight ACC games to accommodate existing non-conference matchups:
- Boston College Home: Florida State, Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia Tech Away: Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami, SMU
- Clemson Home: Georgia Tech, Miami, North Carolina, Virginia Tech Away: California, Duke, Florida State, Syracuse
- Florida State Home: Clemson, NC State, SMU, Virginia Away: Boston College, Louisville, Miami, Pitt
- Georgia Tech Home: Boston College, Duke, Louisville, Wake Forest Away: Clemson, Pitt, Stanford, Virginia Tech
- North Carolina Opponent details not listed in the release
What’s Next
The ACC plans to release the full 2026 schedule - complete with dates - in late January. Until then, fans can dig into these matchups and start circling the games that could shape the conference race. With a new structure, more Power Four clashes, and a 17-team lineup that spans coast to coast, the 2026 season promises to be one of the most compelling in ACC history.
This isn’t just a scheduling update - it’s a statement. The ACC is leaning into the future, and the road to the College Football Playoff just got a lot more interesting.