ACC Reveals 2026 Football Opponents as League Moves to Nine-Game Conference Schedule
The ACC just took a major step forward in reshaping its football future. On Tuesday, the conference officially announced the 2026 league opponents for all 17 member schools, rolling out the framework for a new scheduling model that introduces a nine-game conference slate and a mandate for at least 10 games each season against Power Four opponents.
This isn’t just a tweak - it’s a foundational shift. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips emphasized that the new format is designed to bring the league in line with its Power Four peers, offering more consistency for players, coaches, and fans, while also boosting strength of schedule across the board.
What’s New in 2026?
The 2026 season will serve as a transitional year for the ACC, which is now navigating a 17-team landscape that includes recent additions like Cal, Stanford, and SMU. Twelve teams will play nine conference games, while five others - Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina - will play eight, making room for two non-conference matchups against Power Four opponents.
The goal: every ACC team plays at least 10 Power Four opponents. That’s a big ask, but it’s a move that should improve the league’s national standing - especially in the eyes of the College Football Playoff committee.
The conference also plans to revise its tiebreaker policy ahead of the season, a necessary step given the expanded schedule and potential for more teams to finish with similar records. Full schedules, including game dates and kickoff times, are expected to drop in late January.
Looking ahead to 2027, the ACC will settle into its long-term model - 16 teams playing nine conference games annually, with one team each year taking on eight ACC games and two Power Four non-conference opponents to meet the 10-game requirement.
Who’s Playing Nine ACC Games in 2026?
Here’s the list of programs set for a full nine-game ACC slate in 2026:
California, Duke, Louisville, Miami, NC State, Pittsburgh, SMU, Stanford, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest.
And the five teams sticking with eight conference games - but adding two Power Four non-conference matchups - are:
Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina.
Virginia Cavaliers: Building on Momentum
Coming off a strong 2025 campaign that included a trip to the ACC Championship Game, Virginia is one of the 12 teams set for a nine-game conference schedule in 2026. The Cavaliers posted a 10-2 regular season record this year and were on the doorstep of a College Football Playoff berth before falling just short in an overtime thriller in the title game.
In 2026, Virginia will host California, Duke, North Carolina, NC State, and Syracuse in Charlottesville. On the road, they’ll face Florida State, SMU, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest. That’s a balanced mix of traditional ACC clashes and newer matchups, with plenty of intrigue built in - especially the in-state battle with Virginia Tech and a trip to Tallahassee.
They’ll also add at least one Power Four non-conference opponent to meet the league’s 10-game requirement. No word yet on who that will be, but given the Cavaliers’ upward trajectory, expect a meaningful matchup.
Virginia Tech Hokies: Embracing the New Era
Virginia Tech also draws a nine-game ACC schedule next season, and their 2026 slate brings a blend of old-school rivalries and cross-country challenges.
The Hokies will host Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, Stanford, and Virginia at Lane Stadium - a mix of East Coast familiarity and a West Coast newcomer. On the road, they’ll travel to Boston College, California, Clemson, Miami, and SMU.
That’s a rugged road schedule, with trips to Death Valley and Miami standing out. But it’s also a chance for the Hokies to prove they’re ready to contend in a deeper, more competitive ACC.
As with Virginia, Tech will round out its schedule with at least one Power Four non-conference opponent, though details on that matchup are still to come.
Final Thoughts
The ACC’s 2026 schedule rollout is more than just a list of opponents - it’s a signal of where the conference is headed. With a nine-game league slate becoming the standard and a clear push toward stronger non-conference scheduling, the ACC is positioning itself to stay competitive in the evolving landscape of college football.
There’s still plenty to be revealed - kickoff times, exact dates, and non-conference matchups - but one thing’s clear: the ACC is raising the bar. And for programs like Virginia and Virginia Tech, 2026 offers a chance to make a statement in a new-look league that’s not shying away from big-time competition.