Aer Lingus College Football Classic will be the fifth consecutive year that college football begins its season with a game in Dublin.

The 2026 college football season will begin with a matchup between North Carolina and TCU in Dublin, Ireland, in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. The teams will play Aug. 29, 2026, at Aviva Stadium.

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic will be played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Aug. 29, 2026. It will be the first game abroad for both TCU and North Carolina. “It's a tremendous opportunity for our program and we're excited to represent the university and our fans on an international stage,” Belichick said.