The 2026 college football season officially begins on Thursday, August 27, 2026. Following Indiana’s historic run to the 2025-26 National Championship, the focus shifts to a massive Week 0 slate featuring international showdowns in Ireland and Brazil. While the majority of FBS programs kick off during Labor Day weekend (September 5), Week 0 offers a high-stakes preview of the new season. Whether you are looking for the Aer Lingus Classic or the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, here is your complete 2026 Week 0 guide.

2026 College Football Week 0 Schedule & TV Times

Here’s the 2026 college football week 0 schedule for you. TV times get added as they get announced for you. 

All times Eastern. This schedule will be updated as kickoff times and TV networks are finalized by the conferences.

Thursday, August 27, 2026

• Mercyhurst at Youngstown State | 6:00 PM | TBD
• Charleston Southern at Lindenwood | 7:00 PM | TBD
• Central Arkansas at UT Martin | TBD
• Eastern Illinois at Murray State | TBD
• Maine at Towson | TBD
• Stony Brook at Delaware State | TBD
• LIU at North Dakota | TBD

Friday, August 28, 2026

• Marist at New Haven | TBD
• New Hampshire at UAlbany | TBD
• Rhode Island at Merrimack | TBD

Saturday, August 29, 2026 (The Main Slate)

• Aer Lingus College Football Classic: North Carolina vs. TCU (Dublin, Ireland) | TBD | ESPN/ABC
• College Football Brasil: NC State vs. Virginia (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) | TBD | TBD
• New Mexico State at Florida State | TBD
• Hawaii at Stanford | TBD
• Memphis at UNLV | TBD
• MEAC/SWAC Challenge: Alabama A&M vs. Howard (Atlanta, GA) | 7:30 PM | ABC
• North Alabama vs. Samford (Huntsville, AL) | TBD
• Southern vs. Alabama State (Birmingham, AL) | TBD
• North Dakota State at UIW | TBD
• William & Mary at Villanova | TBD
• Chattanooga at West Georgia | TBD

[FREE DOWNLOAD] 2026 College Football Week 0 Printable Schedule (PDF)

Plan your first Saturday of the season. Our high-resolution printable schedule includes all international games, FCS matchups, and confirmed TV networks.

Key Storylines for Week 0 2026

International Expansion For the first time, Week 0 features two major international games. North Carolina and TCU head to Dublin for the Aer Lingus Classic, while NC State and Virginia make history with the first-ever “College Football Brasil” game in Rio de Janeiro.

The Hawaii Exemption Stanford’s matchup against Hawaii is a prime example of the “Hawaii Exemption.” This NCAA rule allows teams that play at Hawaii (or Hawaii itself) to schedule a 13th regular-season game, often resulting in these teams kicking off early in Week 0 to accommodate the extra travel and scheduling needs.

FCS Powerhouses on Center Stage With a smaller FBS slate, Week 0 is the premier window for the FCS. Watch for North Dakota State at UIW and the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta, which historically draws massive viewership on ABC.

Frequently Asked Questions: 2026 College Football Start Date

When is the first college football game of 2026? The first games of the 2026 season kick off on Thursday, August 27, 2026, featuring several FCS matchups. The first major FBS games take place on Saturday, August 29.

What is the Aer Lingus College Football Classic? It is an annual season-opening game played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. The 2026 matchup features North Carolina vs. TCU.

Where is the 2026 MEAC/SWAC Challenge? The game will be held at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 29, 2026, featuring Alabama A&M vs. Howard.

When does the rest of college football start? “Week 1” officially begins on Thursday, September 3, 2026, with the majority of the nation playing on Saturday, September 5 (Labor Day Weekend).

CFB Resources & Major Sports Resources