North Carolina will open its 2026 campaign against TCU in Dublin in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on Aug. 29, 2026. It will be the first overseas game for the Tar Heels, and Bill Belichick is particularly excited about the exposure for the teams and players.
Belichick himself has participated in four overseas NFL games, from Mexico to London. In fact, in 2009 he even practiced in a stadium designed for cricket.
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The game will mark the first time in program history that UNC has played a college football contest overseas.
It also will not be the first season-opening college football game held in Ireland, as that distinction has occurred on four previous occasions.
International games are nothing new to Belichick, who was part of several while coaching the New England Patriots. He shared his thoughts during a press conference announcing the Tar Heels’ trip.
“It’s just a unique and great opportunity from a football standpoint,” Belichick said. “You have a new environment that always brings a little bit higher focus, a little bit higher detail and certainly extensive planning. But for the student-athletes and for all of us, it’s just a great experience.”
“The fans and the environment and the newness of it are just unique.”
Belichick is about to embark on his first campaign as North Carolina’s coach. He has already begun introducing a new culture, and this trip is another way his NFL experience is influencing his college philosophy. It also reflects the increased attention UNC has received since hiring him in December.
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While Belichick is eager to face the Horned Frogs in August 2026, it will not be a walk in the park. TCU head coach Sonny Dykes led the Horned Frogs to their first College Football Playoff berth and victory in 2022 and was named national coach of the year.
He, too, welcomed the chance to represent TCU internationally.
“We will take pride in representing TCU internationally,” Dykes said. “With a good number of players not having traveled overseas, I’m most happy for them to have this opportunity, and I very much appreciate the Aer Lingus College Football Classic making it possible for them as well as all of TCU to share in this experience.”
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Prior to the overseas match in 2026, North Carolina is set to open its 2025 campaign against TCU on Sept. 2025 at home. After the August 2026 game, the Tar Heels will have three more nonconference contests against Notre Dame, UConn, and ETSU.
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