The ACC took another big step toward its future on Tuesday, announcing the full list of 2026 football opponents for all 17 of its member programs. This rollout marks the next phase in the league’s shift to a nine-game conference schedule-an evolution that not only tightens the competitive landscape but also ensures each team plays at least 10 Power Four opponents every season.
Let’s break down what this means, what’s changing, and what fans can expect when the 2026 season kicks off.
A New Era in ACC Football Scheduling
The 2026 season will serve as a transition year for the ACC as it pivots from the traditional eight-game league slate to a more demanding nine-game schedule. The change, which was initially agreed upon back in September, is designed to bring the ACC in line with the scheduling standards of the other Power Four conferences. It also adds a layer of consistency for teams, players, and fans-something the league has been aiming for as it navigates a growing and increasingly competitive college football landscape.
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips called the move “a significant and intentional step forward,” and it’s easy to see why. With 17 football-playing schools now under the ACC banner-including recent additions like Cal, Stanford, and SMU-the league had to get creative. The result is a schedule model that balances tradition with flexibility, while also honoring existing non-conference contracts.
The 2026 Transition Plan: 9+1 and 8+2
Here’s how the transitional model works:
- Twelve teams will play nine ACC games and at least one Power Four non-conference opponent (known as the 9+1 model).
- Five teams will stick with eight ACC games but will face two Power Four non-conference opponents (the 8+2 model).
This hybrid approach allows the conference to maintain competitive equity while giving schools the flexibility to meet prior scheduling commitments. It also helps ensure every team hits that 10 Power Four opponent minimum-something that’s quickly becoming the gold standard in strength-of-schedule metrics.
What This Means for North Carolina
For the Tar Heels, there’s no shake-up in the 2026 ACC slate. They’ll host Louisville, Miami, NC State, and Syracuse, and hit the road to face Clemson, Duke, Pitt, and Virginia. That’s a solid mix of rivalry games, traditional matchups, and a couple of heavyweight road trips that could have major implications in the standings.
Looking Ahead to 2027 and Beyond
Starting in 2027, the ACC plans to go all-in on the nine-game conference format. Sixteen teams will play nine league games each season, while one team per year will play eight ACC games and schedule two Power Four opponents outside the league. That rotating exception is designed to help maintain flexibility while still honoring the 10 Power Four game requirement.
The ACC will also be updating its Tiebreaker Policy ahead of the 2026 season to reflect the new structure. That’ll be something to watch, especially with more conference games on the slate and a wider pool of potential ties in the standings.
Balancing the 17-Team Puzzle
With 17 teams in the mix, the ACC faces a unique scheduling challenge. Not every team can play nine conference games every season, and rotating opponents is essential to maintaining balance over multi-year cycles. The league has clearly prioritized fairness and competitive equity here, ensuring that no single program is unfairly advantaged or burdened.
Who’s Playing Nine ACC Games in 2026?
Here’s the breakdown of teams going with the nine-game ACC schedule next season:
California
- Home: Clemson, Pitt, Stanford, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
- Away: NC State, SMU, Syracuse, Virginia
Duke
- Home: Boston College, Clemson, North Carolina, Stanford
- Away: Georgia Tech, Miami, NC State, Virginia, Wake Forest
Louisville
- Home: Florida State, Pitt, SMU, Stanford, Wake Forest
- Away: Georgia Tech, North Carolina, NC State, Syracuse
Miami
- Home: Boston College, Duke, Florida State, Pitt, Virginia Tech
- Away: Clemson, North Carolina, Stanford, Wake Forest
NC State
- Home: California, Duke, Louisville, Syracuse, Wake Forest
- Away: Florida State, North Carolina, Stanford, Virginia
Pitt
- Home: Florida State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Syracuse
- Away: Boston College, California, Louisville, Miami, Virginia Tech
SMU
- Home: Boston College, California, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
- Away: Florida State, Louisville, Stanford, Syracuse
Stanford
- Home: Georgia Tech, Miami, NC State, SMU
- Away: California, Duke, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
Syracuse
- Home: California, Clemson, Louisville, SMU
- Away: Boston College, North Carolina, NC State, Pitt, Virginia
Virginia
- Home: California, Duke, North Carolina, NC State, Syracuse
- Away: Florida State, SMU, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
Virginia Tech
- Home: Georgia Tech, Pitt, Stanford, Virginia
- Away: Boston College, California, Clemson, Miami, SMU
Wake Forest
- Home: Duke, Miami, Stanford, Virginia
- Away: California, Georgia Tech, Louisville, NC State, SMU
And the Five Teams on the Eight-Game Plan:
These programs will play eight ACC games in 2026, pairing them with two Power Four non-conference opponents:
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
- Home: Louisville, Miami, NC State, Syracuse
- Away: Clemson, Duke, Pitt, Virginia
What’s Next?
The full 2026 ACC football schedule-complete with game dates-will be released in late January. Until then, fans can start circling matchups and projecting storylines. With more conference games, a stronger Power Four emphasis, and a broader national footprint, the ACC is setting the stage for a more competitive and compelling football product.
This is a league that’s evolving fast. And in 2026, the schedule will finally reflect that.