Charlotte, N.C., December 17, 2025
The Atlantic Coast Conference has introduced a new scheduling model for its football teams starting with the 2026 season. Under this framework, 12 of the 17 teams will compete in nine league games, while five teams will play eight conference matchups. This adjustment aims to enhance competitive equity and align the ACC with other major collegiate conferences. The 2026 season is designated as a ‘bridge’ year to manage existing contracts and prepare for a more standardized schedule from 2027 onward.
Charlotte, N.C.
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has announced a new football scheduling model for the 2026 season, marking a significant transition towards a standardized nine-game conference slate. This change will see 12 of the 17 football-playing members engage in nine league games, while the remaining five teams will play eight conference matchups. The announcement was made on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from the conference’s headquarters in Charlotte, N.C..
The 2026 season will serve as a “bridge” year, carefully designed to balance competitive equity across the league, honor existing non-conference game contracts, and accommodate the ACC’s unique footprint of 17 football-playing institutions. The move aims to strengthen the competitive framework of ACC Football, aligning the conference more closely with other major collegiate athletic conferences such as the Big Ten, Big 12, and Southeastern Conferences (SEC). This alignment is also intended to provide greater consistency for student-athletes, coaches, and fans, while addressing concerns about unbalanced scheduling and its potential impact on access to the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
2026 Scheduling Breakdown
For the upcoming 2026 season, the 12 teams scheduled to play nine ACC conference games include California, Duke, Louisville, Miami, NC State, Pitt, SMU, Stanford, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest. These institutions will follow a “9+1” model, requiring them to schedule at least one additional Power Four non-conference opponent.
Conversely, Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina are the five teams that will play an eight-game conference schedule in 2026. These teams will operate under an “8+2” model, necessitating two Power Four non-conference opponents to be scheduled outside of their league play. The overarching goal for every ACC football program in 2026 is to compete against a minimum of 10 Power Four opponents.
Future Implementation and Tiebreaker Policy
Looking ahead to the 2027 season and beyond, the ACC plans for a more standardized approach. From 2027, 16 of the 17 teams will annually play a nine-game ACC schedule. Due to the conference’s unique odd number of football-playing members, one team each season will be designated to play an eight-game league schedule. That particular team will then be required to schedule two Power Four non-conference opponents to fulfill the 10 Power Four games requirement.
The ACC has also indicated that its tiebreaker policy will be updated and announced prior to the commencement of the 2026 season. This forthcoming revision aims to provide clarity and address previous concerns regarding how teams with unequal numbers of conference games might be evaluated for championship game qualification.
Context of Conference Evolution
This scheduling model represents a notable evolution from the conference’s previous eight-game league format. The ACC has recently expanded its membership, now comprising 17 football-playing institutions. This expansion, which notably includes institutions like California, Stanford, and SMU, has contributed to the necessity of re-evaluating and adjusting the league’s competitive structure and scheduling philosophies. The conference leadership emphasizes that this phased approach underscores a commitment to competitive fairness, flexibility in scheduling, and delivering a premier football product to its institutions and fan base.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the new ACC football scheduling model for 2026?
- For the 2026 season, 12 of the 17 ACC football-playing members will play nine league games, while the remaining five teams will play eight conference matchups. This is a transitional step towards a full nine-game schedule for most by 2027.
- When will the new scheduling model be implemented?
- The new scheduling model begins implementation with the 2026 season, with a fuller transition planned for the 2027 season.
- Why is the 2026 season a “bridge” year?
- The 2026 season is a “bridge” year to balance competitive equity across the league, honor existing non-conference game contracts, and accommodate the ACC’s unique footprint of 17 football-playing institutions.
- Which teams will play nine conference games in 2026?
- California, Duke, Louisville, Miami, NC State, Pitt, SMU, Stanford, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest will play nine ACC conference games in 2026.
- Which teams will play eight conference games in 2026?
- Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina will play eight conference games in 2026.
- What are the non-conference scheduling requirements?
- Teams playing nine conference games must play at least one Power Four non-conference opponent (“9+1” model). Teams playing eight conference games must play two Power Four non-conference opponents (“8+2” model). The goal is for every team to play a minimum of 10 Power Four opponents.
- What will happen in 2027?
- Starting in 2027, 16 of the 17 teams will annually play a nine-game ACC schedule. One team each season will play an eight-game league schedule due to the odd number of conference members, and that team will schedule two Power Four non-conference opponents.
- Will the ACC tiebreaker policy be updated?
- Yes, the ACC has stated that its tiebreaker policy will be updated and announced prior to the commencement of the 2026 season.
Key Features of the ACC Football Scheduling Model
| Feature | 2026 Season | 2027 Season Onwards | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conference Games for 12 Teams | 9 league games | 9 league games (for 16 of 17 teams annually) | Conference-wide |
| Conference Games for 5 Teams | 8 league games | 8 league games (for 1 of 17 teams annually) | Conference-wide |
| Non-Conference Requirement (9-game teams) | At least one Power Four opponent (9+1 model) | At least one Power Four opponent | Conference-wide |
| Non-Conference Requirement (8-game teams) | Two Power Four opponents (8+2 model) | Two Power Four opponents | Conference-wide |
| Minimum Power Opponents | 10 Power Opponents | 10 Power Opponents | Conference-wide |
| Tiebreaker Policy | To be updated and announced before the 2026 season | Updated policy in effect | Conference-wide |
| Reason for 2026 Split | Transition year to balance competitive equity, honor existing contracts, and account for 17-team footprint | N/A (due to odd number of teams, one team will rotate 8 games) | Conference-wide |
Now Happening on X
- @mrhyne68 (December 16, 2025, 2:57 AM) Charlotte is facing major issues under its liberal city council, mayor, and AGs, with a city manager earning $425k but insufficient resources for safety amid ongoing crime. View on X
- @LRarey (December 13, 2025, 1:40 AM) A repeat violent offender killed a young mother in Charlotte, while the mayor and city council allocate millions for PR to mask the escalating crime crisis. View on X
- @anudestination (December 11, 2025, 4:24 PM) Residents in Charlotte feel terrorized by out-of-control crime, with the mayor, city council, and judges showing a lack of empathy for law-abiding taxpayers as costs continue to rise. View on X
- @andylancaster (December 11, 2025, 12:33 AM) Charlotte struggles with a poor mayor just reelected to a fifth term, a retiring police chief, an uncooperative sheriff, growing homelessness, and frequent stabbings and shootings. View on X
- @nc_tea2024 (December 10, 2025, 5:45 PM) City council decisions impact family safety in Charlotte, with ineffective sheriffs in Charlotte, Durham, and Buncombe undermining 911 responses, and radical influences on judges. View on X
- @wbtradio (December 10, 2025, 11:39 PM) Discussion on rising crime rates, increasing costs, and the broader implications for Charlotte’s future under current leadership and policies. View on X
- @CedarPosts (December 4, 2025, 11:11 PM) Despite a new police chief’s plan to improve safety in Uptown Charlotte, the area remains dark, seedy, and unwelcoming, contrasting sharply with its past vibrancy. View on X
- @RepPatHarrigan (November 18, 2025, 8:59 PM) Charlotte’s large foreign national population correlates with surging uptown murders up 200% and rising aggravated assaults, highlighting public safety concerns. View on X
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Recent Developments in College Football Landscape
ACC Announces Major Changes for Upcoming Basketball Season
Notre Dame to Face Wake Forest in Duke’s Mayo Classic
North Carolina Senate Passes School Calendar Flexibility Bill
Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
