College football is back. The 2026 season officially opens with Week 0, the early slate of games that tip off the year one week before most teams begin play. This year’s College Football Week 0 features a mix of FBS and FCS matchups, highlighted by a big international game in Ireland and several Power conference openers on Saturday.
Week 0 has become a regular part of the calendar. It gives fans an early look at new coaching staffs, transferred quarterbacks and a few high-profile non-conference games before the full slate arrives on Labor Day weekend.
When Does College Football Week 0 Start?
The 2026 College Football Week 0 runs from Thursday, August 27 through Saturday, August 29. Most of the meaningful FBS games are scheduled for Saturday. The following week marks the traditional start of Week 1 for the majority of Division I programs.
Major FBS Games on the Week 0 Schedule
Here are the key FBS matchups for the 2026 college football Week 0:
Saturday, August 29
- North Carolina vs. TCU
Aer Lingus College Football Classic
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
12:00 p.m. ET | ESPN - San Jose State at Southern California
3:00 p.m. ET | NBC / Peacock - Jacksonville State at North Dakota State
5:30 p.m. ET | CBS Sports Network - Sacramento State at Eastern Michigan
6:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+ - New Mexico State at Florida State
7:00 p.m. ET | The CW - Hawaii at Stanford
7:00 p.m. ET | ACC Network - Memphis at UNLV
10:00 p.m. ET | FOX
The Dublin game is the clear centerpiece of the Week 0 schedule. TCU and North Carolina open the season overseas in a rematch of last year’s opener. Florida State and USC also get early tests at home against Group of Five and mid-major opponents.
Notable FCS Matchups
Several FCS games are also on the board this weekend. Highlights include:
- Alabama A&M vs. Howard (MEAC/SWAC Challenge) in Atlanta – 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
- Southern vs. Alabama State in Birmingham – 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU
- Idaho at Cal Poly – Friday night on ESPN+
- Jackson State at Tennessee State
- Prairie View A&M at Tarleton State
These games give FCS fans an early look at contenders before the full conference schedules begin.
Early Results from Thursday
A handful of lower-division and FCS games already kicked off the weekend. Among the early scores:
- Youngstown State 43, Mercyhurst 10
- Ohio Dominican 42, Morehead State 40 (3OT)
- Chattanooga 24, West Georgia 10
- Houston Christian 34, Southeastern Louisiana 28
- Western Illinois 65, Northwestern (Iowa) 14
- North Dakota 42, LIU 21
More results will roll in through Saturday night.
Week 0 TV Schedule and Streaming Options
Most of the major games are available on traditional television or major streaming platforms:
- ESPN family of networks (ESPN, ESPNU, ACC Network, ESPN+)
- NBC / Peacock
- FOX
- CBS Sports Network
- The CW
- ABC (for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge)
Kayo and other international services will carry select games for viewers outside the United States. Check local listings for exact channel availability in your area.
College football is back. The 2026 season officially opens with Week 0, the early slate of games that tip off the year one week before most teams begin play. This year’s College Football Week 0 features a mix of FBS and FCS matchups, highlighted by a big international game in Ireland and several Power conference openers on Saturday.
Week 0 has become a regular part of the calendar. It gives fans an early look at new coaching staffs, transferred quarterbacks and a few high-profile non-conference games before the full slate arrives on Labor Day weekend.
When Does College Football Week 0 Start?
The 2026 College Football Week 0 runs from Thursday, August 27 through Saturday, August 29. Most of the meaningful FBS games are scheduled for Saturday. The following week marks the traditional start of Week 1 for the majority of Division I programs.
Major FBS Games on the Week 0 Schedule
Here are the key FBS matchups for the 2026 college football Week 0:
Saturday, August 29
- North Carolina vs. TCU
Aer Lingus College Football Classic
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
12:00 p.m. ET | ESPN - San Jose State at Southern California
3:00 p.m. ET | NBC / Peacock - Jacksonville State at North Dakota State
5:30 p.m. ET | CBS Sports Network - Sacramento State at Eastern Michigan
6:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+ - New Mexico State at Florida State
7:00 p.m. ET | The CW - Hawaii at Stanford
7:00 p.m. ET | ACC Network - Memphis at UNLV
10:00 p.m. ET | FOX
The Dublin game is the clear centerpiece of the Week 0 schedule. TCU and North Carolina open the season overseas in a rematch of last year’s opener. Florida State and USC also get early tests at home against Group of Five and mid-major opponents.
Notable FCS Matchups
Several FCS games are also on the board this weekend. Highlights include:
- Alabama A&M vs. Howard (MEAC/SWAC Challenge) in Atlanta – 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
- Southern vs. Alabama State in Birmingham – 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU
- Idaho at Cal Poly – Friday night on ESPN+
- Jackson State at Tennessee State
- Prairie View A&M at Tarleton State
These games give FCS fans an early look at contenders before the full conference schedules begin.
Early Results from Thursday
A handful of lower-division and FCS games already kicked off the weekend. Among the early scores:
- Youngstown State 43, Mercyhurst 10
- Ohio Dominican 42, Morehead State 40 (3OT)
- Chattanooga 24, West Georgia 10
- Houston Christian 34, Southeastern Louisiana 28
- Western Illinois 65, Northwestern (Iowa) 14
- North Dakota 42, LIU 21
More results will roll in through Saturday night.
Week 0 TV Schedule and Streaming Options
Most of the major games are available on traditional television or major streaming platforms:
- ESPN family of networks (ESPN, ESPNU, ACC Network, ESPN+)
- NBC / Peacock
- FOX
- CBS Sports Network
- The CW
- ABC (for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge)
Kayo and other international services will carry select games for viewers outside the United States.
