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Bill Belichick’s North Carolina will face off against TCU in Dublin, Ireland, to open the 2026 season in the annual Aer Lingus College Football Classic, the schools announced on Tuesday. The matchup marks the first international competition for both programs.
The game will take place on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026 at Aviva Stadium. It’s set for Week 0, giving the two teams an extra week of rest to recover from the time difference. It’s a high-profile opportunity for Belichick’s program as the greatest coach in NFL history tries his hand at college football for the first time.
“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 in a statement.
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The matchup between TCU and North Carolina marks the sixth iteration of the classic and will be the fifth since it was brought back annually in 2022. Last season, Georgia Tech outlasted No. 10 Florida State 24-21 for the biggest upset in the series history. Big 12 rivals Iowa State and Kansas State will take part in the international classic to open the 2025 season.
“We will take great pride in representing TCU internationally,” TCU coach Sonny Dykes said in a statement. “With a good number of…
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Author : Shehan Jeyarajah
Publish date : 2025-04-22 15:03:00
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