The 2026 college football season begins Saturday, Aug. 29, with a limited Week 0 slate of games that will give fans an early look at several programs before the full slate arrives the following weekend.

Most Football Bowl Subdivision teams will open their campaigns on or around Labor Day weekend, but eight matchups are scheduled for Aug. 29 to mark the official start of the FBS season. The early games provide a mix of high-profile nonconference contests, international play and opportunities for Group of Five and independent programs to gain experience against Power conference opponents.

The day's centerpiece is the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland, where North Carolina faces TCU at noon Eastern time on ESPN. The game at Aviva Stadium serves as a rematch of last season's meeting in Chapel Hill, where the Horned Frogs defeated the Tar Heels 48-14 in Bill Belichick's coaching debut at North Carolina. Belichick's first season with the Tar Heels ended at 4-8, and the Dublin opener offers an early chance to reset expectations under the longtime NFL coach.

Later on Saturday, San Jose State visits No. 14 USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 3 p.m. on NBC. NC State travels to Virginia for a 3:30 p.m. contest on ESPN at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. That game........

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