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.

TCU and North Carolina will play their 2026 opener in Ireland. That will come a year after Bill Belichick’s debut as coach of the Tar Heels comes at home against the Horned Frogs.

The Texas Christian University football team will play its 2026 season opener against North Carolina on Aug. 29 as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. The game will be played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which holds 47,000 people. TCU will be the home team.