The ACC has officially dropped its 2026 football schedule, and with it, Virginia fans now have a full look at the road ahead for a Cavaliers team looking to build on a historic 2025 campaign. Coming off a season that reset expectations in Charlottesville, UVA’s 2026 slate offers a blend of marquee matchups, revenge opportunities, and a few curveballs - including a season opener on another continent.
Let’s break it all down.
A Global Kickoff and a Manageable September
Virginia opens the season in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, taking on NC State in the inaugural College Football Brasil game on August 29. It’s a high-profile, high-mileage opener - and it comes with some emotional weight.
The Wolfpack were one of only three teams to beat the Cavaliers last season, and starting the new year with a chance to flip that script on an international stage? That’s the kind of narrative you can’t script better.
After that, the Cavaliers get a breather with a bye week on September 5 before returning to more familiar territory. They’ll host Norfolk State on September 12, then head to Charlotte for a neutral-site clash with West Virginia on September 19.
The Mountaineers are coming off a 4-8 season, and while this game is technically on neutral ground, it’s a winnable matchup for a UVA team with postseason aspirations. The month wraps with a home game against Delaware on September 26 - another opportunity to stay sharp before the schedule tightens.
If Virginia can handle its business early, there’s a real shot the ’Hoos enter October with a 4-0 record and momentum to burn.
October: The Proving Ground
October is where things get real. It starts with a trip to Tallahassee on October 3 to face Florida State - a team that will be out for revenge after UVA pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2025 season, knocking off the then-No.
8 Seminoles. FSU has reloaded with the 26th-ranked transfer class (per 247Sports), and Doak Campbell Stadium is never an easy place to play.
This one will be a litmus test for how far Virginia has come - and how far they still need to go.
After a home date with Syracuse on October 10, the Cavaliers hit the road again on October 17 to face SMU in Dallas. The Mustangs were inches away from a trip to the ACC Championship last year and are bringing in a top-25 transfer class of their own (ranked 21st by On3). SMU has quickly become one of the more dangerous teams in the conference, and this midseason matchup could have serious implications for the ACC standings.
Then comes October 24, when Duke rolls into Scott Stadium. This one’s personal.
UVA handled the Blue Devils in the regular season in 2025, only to see their playoff hopes dashed in the ACC Championship Game by that same Duke squad. With quarterback Darian Mensah’s legal situation still unfolding, there’s some uncertainty around the Blue Devils’ offense, but make no mistake - this is a grudge match.
Circle it.
October wraps with a trip to Wake Forest on Halloween weekend, a tricky road game that could serve as a trap if Virginia’s not careful.
November: Home Stretch with High Stakes
The Cavaliers get another bye on November 7, then return home for back-to-back games against Cal (Nov. 14) and North Carolina (Nov. 21). UVA beat both teams in 2025, and getting Cal at home this time - instead of making the long West Coast trip - is a logistical win, especially after the early-season journey to Brazil.
Then comes the finale: November 28 at Virginia Tech. The Commonwealth Clash always carries weight, but this year’s edition has a little extra juice.
The Hokies will be led by new head coach James Franklin, and the rivalry game could be a fitting capstone to a season that may very well hinge on this result. A win in Blacksburg would mark back-to-back victories over Tech for the first time since the late ’90s - a milestone that would mean everything to the UVA faithful.
What’s Missing Might Matter Most
One of the most intriguing aspects of this schedule? The teams that aren’t on it.
Virginia avoids matchups with Miami (last year’s national runner-up), Clemson, Georgia Tech, Louisville, and Pittsburgh - five teams that all finished .500 or better in ACC play last season. That’s a significant break in terms of strength of schedule.
And while the Brazil trip adds some early-season travel fatigue, UVA won’t have to make a West Coast swing. Cal comes to Charlottesville, and Stanford isn’t on the schedule at all.
The Five Games That Will Define UVA’s Season
Let’s be honest - every game matters when you’re chasing a conference title, but some carry more weight than others. Here are the five matchups that could make or break the Cavaliers’ 2026 campaign:
- **Aug. 29 vs.
NC State (in Rio de Janeiro)**
A rematch with a 2025 nemesis on international soil.
Win this one, and the momentum could snowball quickly.
- Oct. 3 at Florida State
The toughest road test on the schedule. A win in Tallahassee would be a statement that this program is here to stay.
- Oct. 17 at SMU
A battle against one of the ACC’s rising powers. This game could be pivotal in the race for a conference title.
- **Oct. 24 vs.
Duke**
Payback time.
UVA will be looking to avenge its ACC Championship loss and prove it belongs in the playoff conversation.
- Nov. 28 at Virginia Tech
The rivalry game. The season finale.
A shot at history. Enough said.
Virginia’s 2026 schedule offers opportunity, revenge, and a clear path to another big season - if the Cavaliers can navigate the landmines. With a favorable draw in terms of opponents, a strong returning core, and a fan base hungry for more, the table is set. Now it’s up to the ’Hoos to bring it home.