Charlottesville, Va., January 27, 2026
The Atlantic Coast Conference has unveiled the 2026 football schedule for the University of Virginia, featuring a unique season opener in Brazil against NC State. The Cavaliers will play a total of 12 games, with six home matches at Scott Stadium and two neutral-site contests. Fans can look forward to key matchups against Syracuse, Duke, and North Carolina while also participating in unprecedented events like the inaugural College Football Brasil.
Charlottesville, Va.
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) officially unveiled the 2026 football schedule for the University of Virginia on Monday, January 26, marking a highly anticipated look ahead for Cavaliers fans. The 12-game slate features six home contests at Scott Stadium, two neutral-site matchups, and a historic season opener in Brazil.
The Cavaliers are set to kick off their 2026 campaign in Week 0 on August 29, facing ACC opponent NC State in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at Nilton Santos Stadium. This marks Virginia’s earliest season start since 2002 and is part of the inaugural College Football Brasil event, which will be the first-ever Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) game played in South America. Following the international opener, the team will have an open date on September 5.
Virginia’s home schedule at Scott Stadium includes matchups against non-conference foes Norfolk State on September 12 and Delaware on September 26. Conference opponents visiting Charlottesville will be Syracuse on October 10, Duke on October 23 or 24, California on November 14, and North Carolina on November 21. The game against Norfolk State will be the first meeting between the two in-state teams, while Delaware enters its second year as an FBS program in 2026.
In addition to the Brazil game, the Cavaliers will play another neutral-site contest on September 19 against West Virginia at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. This game is a rematch of the 2002 Continental Tire Bowl. The Cavaliers’ true road games include visits to Florida State on October 3, SMU on October 17, Wake Forest on October 31, and the regular-season finale against in-state rival Virginia Tech on November 28. Virginia will have a second open date on November 7.
ACC Scheduling and Outlook
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D., emphasized the excitement surrounding the 2026 season, noting the league’s transition to a nine-game conference schedule and the tough collection of non-conference opponents across the Power Four leagues. The 2026 ACC Football Championship Game is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, at noon ET on ABC from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kickoff times for the initial weeks of the season and designations for Homecomings and Family Weekend games will be announced at a later date.
The Cavaliers are coming off a strong 2025 season where they finished with an 11-3 record, appeared in the ACC Championship, and secured a victory in the Gator Bowl. The team also achieved a No. 16 ranking in the final Associated Press Top 25 College Football Poll, marking their highest final ranking since 1995 and the first time inside the top 25 since 2004. Head Coach Tony Elliott was named ACC Coach of the Year for his leadership during the successful 2025 season. Six of Virginia’s 2026 opponents participated in bowl games during the 2025 season.
Ticket Information for the 2026 Season
Current season-ticket members can now submit renewal applications and secure early-bird pricing by completing their renewals before the March 31 deadline. Season-ticket deposits for the 2026 season are also available, allowing fans to secure tickets at the lowest price per game. These deposits are non-refundable and will apply to the total balance. Deposit holders will be contacted by the Virginia Athletics ticket staff in Virginia Athletics Foundation (VAF) priority point order in the coming weeks. Full-service premium tailgating options near Scott Stadium will also be available for the upcoming season, with full-season deposits currently accepted and public on-sale beginning February 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the University of Virginia’s 2026 football schedule released?
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) officially unveiled the 2026 football schedule for the University of Virginia on Monday, January 26.
Where will the University of Virginia open its 2026 football season?
The University of Virginia will open its 2026 football season on August 29 against NC State in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as part of the inaugural College Football Brasil event.
How many home games will the University of Virginia play in 2026?
The University of Virginia is scheduled to play six home games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va., during the 2026 season.
What are some of the notable home opponents for the Cavaliers in 2026?
Notable home opponents for the Cavaliers in 2026 include Syracuse, Duke, California, and North Carolina.
When is the ACC Football Championship Game scheduled for 2026?
The 2026 ACC Football Championship Game is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, at noon ET from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Key Features of the 2026 University of Virginia Football Schedule
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Total Games | 12 | University-level |
| Home Games (Scott Stadium) | 6 | University-level |
| Neutral-Site Games | 2 | University-level |
| Season Opener | August 29 vs. NC State (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) | University-level, Nationwide (as part of FBS international game) |
| Second Neutral-Site Game | September 19 vs. West Virginia (Charlotte, N.C.) | University-level, State-level (North Carolina) |
| Bye Weeks | September 5, November 7 | University-level |
| ACC Championship Game Date | December 5, 2026 | Nationwide |
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