By Brian Murphy, WRAL

North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick participated in 12 Super Bowls during his NFL career, all highlights for him.

But Belichick, hired in December to lead the Tar Heels’ program, said the four international games that he coached also rank among the most memorable experiences of his career.

North Carolina will open the 2026 season against TCU in Dublin, Ireland in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. The game is scheduled for Aug. 29, 2026. It is the first international game for the Tar Heels.

“The international games are some of the other most memorable games that I’ve been,” Belichick said Wednesday during a press conference with the Lord Mayor of Dublin and others to discuss the game. “And I speak for our staff, players and coaches who also made those trips. So I’m excited for our team.”

Belichick’s Patriots teams played in London twice (2009, 2012), Mexico (2017) and Germany (2023). New England went 3-1 in those games with a 10-6 loss to the Colts in 2023 in Belichick’s final season with New England.

“All those trips were very special,” Belichick said. “They were special for those of us that were together on them and the memories that we took from the games as well and just the overall experience.”

Belichick said his team practiced in a cricket stadium on the first trip to London. On the second trip, the Patriots practiced in Hyde Park.

“One of probably the most interesting practices we’ve had,” Belichick said.

North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick at a press conference on April 23, 2025.

North Carolina athletics director Bubba Cunningham said he and John Anthony, who owns a sports travel agency and is co-founder of the Aer Lingus Classic, worked together to bring Notre Dame and Navy to Ireland in 1996.

Anthony said he’s tried for years to get Cunningham and the Tar Heels to Ireland. But the pieces finally fell into place. Anthony alluded to the presence of Belichick at UNC as a draw for the game.

“This game is just another example of the profile and opportunities that we’re hoping to have through our investment in the football team,” UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts said.

Cunningham said the Tar Heels have sold out their allotment of season tickets for the 2025 season.

There have been nine major college football games played in Ireland, beginning in 1988. The Aer Lingus Classic has been played each year since 2022, drawing more than 40,000 fans in each game.

The game was originally a TCU home game. UNC hosts TCU on Sept. 1 in the first game of the Belichick era.

“Without TCU giving up a home game,” Cunningham said, “we wouldn’t have this opportunity, and it’s a great opportunity for the University of North Carolina.”

Aer Lingus College Football Classic

2022: Northwestern 31, Nebraska 28

2023: Notre Dame 42, Navy 3

2024: Georgia Tech 24, Florida State 21

Aug. 23, 2025: Iowa State vs. Kansas State

Aug. 29, 2026: North Carolina vs. TCU

Aug. 28, 2027: Pittsburgh vs. Wisconsin

Source: wralsportsfan.com