TCU and UNC were initially expected to open the 2026 campaign on Sept. 5 in Forth Worth, Texas, following the Horned Frogs' trip to Chapel Hill this year. TCU will be designated as the home team when it meets the Tar Heels in Ireland.

The Tar Heels' 2026 season opener against TCU will be played in Ireland on Aug. 29, the school announced Tuesday morning. The game was scheduled for Sept. 5 in Fort Worth, Texas. "We have a globally recognized university and athletics program that exemplifies excellence in all we do," UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts said in a statement.

Whenever we get past the end of spring practice—with the exception of transfers both in and out of the program—football tends to sink down in terms of clickable news until the summer practices rev up. Normally it’s a quiet four months as players enjoy the final days of class and prepare for some time away from school.