TCU & UNC Set For 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic
The 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic matchup has today been confirmed and will see Bill Belichick’s University of North Carolina Tar Heels squaring off against the TCU Horned Frogs in one of the biggest editions of the game to date. Aviva Stadium in Dublin will once again be the backdrop for the Week 0 college football clash, which is slated to take place on Saturday, August 29th of next year.
TCU, from Fort Worth, Texas will serve as the home team in Dublin against UNC who have recently appointed Bill Belichick as head football coach.
This will be the 5th consecutive occurrence of the flagship college football event, following the 2025 season’s matchup between the Iowa State Cyclones and Kansas State Wildcats. There had long been questions surrounding the empty 2026 slot, particularly when the 2027 game got locked in last year with the Pitt Panthers confirmed to be taking on the Wisconsin Badgers.
“We’re grateful to be selected to participate in the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic. It’s a tremendous opportunity for our program and we’re excited to represent the university and our community on an international stage.” said UNC Head Football Coach Bill Belichick.
Belichick, one of the greatest American football coaches of all time, made the shock move to the college football ranks late last year after being unable to find another role in the NFL. Despite a lack of college football experience, he has had an immediate impact on the UNC program, particularly with recruiting.
The 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic will be just the fifth time TCU and North Carolina football teams compete against each other dating back to 1940 and the first time for both teams to have played football internationally. It’s also the first time that a team from Texas will feature in the tournament.
“We will take great pride in representing TCU internationally,” said TCU Head Football Coach Sonny Dykes. “With a good number of our players not having traveled overseas, I am most happy for them to have this opportunity and very much appreciate the Aer Lingus College Football Classic making it possible for them as well as all of TCU to share in this experience. It will be special to take the field in Dublin and for our fans to see us on this type of stage in Ireland. We have enjoyed watching past Aer Lingus College Football Classic games, and it’s a true honor for us to now play in it and kick off the 2026 college football season.”
This year’s Aer Lingus College Football Classic, taking place on August 23rd, will see Kansas State University take on Iowa State University.
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