Nine-game ACC schedule brings change for Virginia Tech football in 2026
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Layering onto a scheduling model adopted two years ago, the ACC on Tuesday announced conference opponents for next football season, its first with a nine-game league docket.
The complete schedule, with dates, is expected in late January, after further collaboration with television partner ESPN.
Virginia Tech is central to the changes from the eight-game rotation for 2024-30 that the ACC released in October 2023 to reflect the additions of Stanford, Cal and SMU. The Hokies’ home date with NC State has been replaced by a visit from Stanford, and their ninth conference game will be a trip to SMU.
Tech and SMU have met only three times, from 1972-74. The Mustangs are 8-0 at home versus ACC rivals since joining the league in 2024.
Wake Forest and Virginia Tech are the only teams that will play each newcomer — Cal, Stanford and SMU — next year.
The lone adjustment for Virginia is its previously scheduled nonconference home game against NC State becomes a league contest and moves to Rio de Janeiro. That event, the first Bowl Subdivision game staged in South America, was announced two weeks ago and is set for Aug. 29.
It’s official: UVA and NC State to open 2026 football season in Brazil
Virginia and Virginia Tech are among the dozen ACC teams that will play nine conference games next year. Florida State, Clemson, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Boston College remain at eight, but only for 2026 as the ACC bridges to 2027 and beyond.
In subsequent seasons, all but one ACC squad, on a rotation, will play nine league contests. How that rotation works, and how best to enhance teams’ College Football Playoff credentials via the schedule, are issues that will consume much of the offseason.
Seeking an encore to its ACC championship game appearance this year, Virginia in 2026 will face — no surprises here — Cal, Duke, North Carolina and Syracuse at home, NC State in Rio, plus Florida State, SMU, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech on the road.
Virginia Tech’s conference foes in James Franklin’s first season as coach are Georgia Tech, Stanford, Pitt and UVA at home, plus Boston College, Cal, Miami, SMU and Clemson on the road. That latter game marks the Hokies’ first trip to Death Valley since 2012.
The league’s odd number of football schools (17) prevents everyone from playing an odd number of conference games (nine) annually, as the math doesn’t math. Leagues with an even number of teams such as the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12 can have each play nine conference games.
How the league would differentiate between, say, ACC championship game contenders with conference records of 8-1 and 7-1 will be determined during an offseason review of tiebreakers.
The ACC pivoted to nine league games in September to align with the other Power Four conferences. The Big Ten and Big 12 have long played nine, and the SEC is shifting to nine next season.
Moreover, with the College Football Playoff placing a greater emphasis on schedule strength, the ACC is requiring each of its programs to play at least 10 games every year against Power Four opponents. For example, in addition to their nine conference dates in 2026, UVA and Virginia Tech will face West Virginia (in Charlotte) and Maryland (on the road), respectively.
The Cavaliers’ other nonconference games will be at home, against Norfolk State and Delaware. The Hokies’ also will be at home, likely versus VMI and Old Dominion, with a previously contracted contest against James Madison probably to be moved or canceled.
Similarly, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Clemson, North Carolina and Boston College next season are slated for eight league games, plus multiple nonconference dates with Power Four opponents.
Marquee ACC matchups with Power Four peers in 2026 include Clemson visiting LSU in Lane Kiffin’s Tigers debut, Louisville opening against Ole Miss in Nashville, Georgia Tech hosting Tennessee in Week 2, and Florida State heading to Alabama in Week 3.
“Transitioning to a nine-game conference schedule strengthens our competitive framework, aligns us with the other Power Four conferences and provides greater consistency for our student-athletes, coaches and fans,” ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement. “This phased approach reflects our commitment to competitive equity, scheduling flexibility and delivering a premier football product across all 17 institutions.”
David Teel, david.teel@virginiamedia.com
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