By Brian Murphy, WRAL

North Carolina football is going international for the first time.

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.

UNC opens the 2025 season — and the Bill Belichick era — at home against TCU on Sept. 1. The Labor Day night game will be televised by ESPN.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for our program,” Belichick said in a statement.

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic, played in Dublin, will feature Big 12 schools Kansas State and Iowa State in 2025. ACC member Pittsburgh and Wisconsin from the Big Ten will play in the 2027 game.

The classic was first played in 2016 when Georgia Tech defeated Boston College. It has been played every year since 2022.

Northwestern defeated Nebraska in 2022, Notre Dame beat Navy in 2023 and Georgia Tech upset Florida State in 2024.

The first major college football game played in Ireland was in 1988.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for our student-athletes, coaches and staff to enjoy a terrific educational and cultural experience while showcasing the Carolina brand internationally,” athletics director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement.

TCU, a member of the Big 12, went 9-4 in 2024. The Horned Frogs played for the national championship in the 2022 season, losing to Georgia in the title game.

UNC is scheduled to host East Tennessee State, UConn and Notre Dame in its other 2026 nonconference games.

The game, which is played before the majority of programs start, should help boost UNC’s football viewership, which the ACC is now using as part of a formula for revenue distribution.

Source: wralsportsfan.com