The 2026 NC State Football Schedule takes an unusual shape before settling into a familiar ACC rhythm. A road trip to Virginia to open the year. A bye week before the home opener even happens. And a late-October flight to Stanford that kicks off well past most fans’ bedtimes. For NC State Wolfpack football, the early travel quirks and the late rivalry closer against North Carolina will define the season. Here is the complete 2026 NC State Football Schedule with dates, locations, times and television information.
2026 NC State Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | at Virginia CavaliersScott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA | 3:30 PM ETESPN | Loss 34-8 | |
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Friday | vs Richmond SpidersCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | 7:00 PM ETESPNU | Win 73-0 | |
| Saturday | at Vanderbilt CommodoresFirstBank Stadium, Nashville, TN | 12:45 PM ETSECN | Loss 35-31 | |
| Saturday | vs Appalachian State MountaineersCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | 7:30 PM ETESPNU | Win 41-31 | |
| Saturday | vs Louisville CardinalsCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | 3:30 PM ETACCN | Win 31-28 | |
| Saturday | vs Wake Forest Demon DeaconsCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | 12:00 PM ETThe CW | Loss 38-14 | |
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Friday | at Stanford CardinalStanford Stadium, Stanford, CA | 10:30 PM ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | vs California Golden BearsCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | Homecoming | |
| Saturday | vs Duke Blue DevilsCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Syracuse OrangeCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Florida State SeminolesDoak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at North Carolina Tar HeelsKenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs ACC ChampionshipBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 12:00 PM ETABC |
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Opening Quirks Shape the First Month
An early road trip, then an odd bye week
- Virginia on the road
- Bye week
- Richmond at home on a Friday night
- Vanderbilt on the road
- Appalachian State at home
- Louisville at home
NC State Wolfpack football opens on the road against Virginia, then sits for a bye before the home opener. Two more road and home swings follow before Louisville visits in early October.
Cross-Country Travel Defines Late October
Wake Forest, then a late-night flight west
- Wake Forest at home
- Bye week
- Stanford on the road at 10:30 p.m. ET
Wake Forest visits Carter-Finley before a second bye that lines up with the most demanding travel date on the NC State ACC schedule 2026 — a Friday night trip to Stanford.
Building Momentum at Home
Homecoming and consecutive ACC home dates
- California at home for Homecoming
- Duke at home
- Syracuse at home
California visits for Homecoming, giving the Wolfpack a recovery date after the West Coast trip. Duke and Syracuse follow in consecutive weeks at Carter-Finley.
Rivalry Finale Caps the Year
Florida State, then NC State vs North Carolina 2026
- Florida State on the road
- North Carolina on the road
- ACC Championship if still alive
A road trip to Florida State opens the closing run. NC State vs North Carolina 2026 wraps the regular season at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill.
NC State Football Home Games 2026
NC State has seven true home games at Carter-Finley Stadium:
- Richmond (Sep 11)
- Appalachian State (Sep 26)
- Louisville (Oct 3)
- Wake Forest (Oct 10)
- California (Oct 31)
- Duke (Nov 7)
- Syracuse (Nov 14)
The 2026 NC State Football Schedule challenges NC State Wolfpack football from the opening road trip through the final regular-season rivalry game. Seven home games at Carter-Finley Stadium provide a solid base, while the early Virginia and Vanderbilt trips, the late-night Stanford flight, and the closing stretch against Florida State and North Carolina will determine the ceiling. How the Wolfpack responds to those high-stakes windows will shape the entire season narrative.
FAQ
When does NC State football play its first game in 2026?
NC State opens the 2026 NC State Football Schedule on the road against Virginia on Saturday, August 29, at Scott Stadium.
When is NC State vs North Carolina 2026?
NC State vs North Carolina 2026 closes the regular season on Saturday, November 28, on the road at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill.
How many home games does NC State play in 2026?
NC State has seven NC State football home games in 2026 at Carter-Finley Stadium: Richmond, Appalachian State, Louisville, Wake Forest, California, Duke, and Syracuse.
What is NC State’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
The late-October flight to Stanford, sandwiched between two bye weeks, is the most unusual and demanding travel stretch on the NC State ACC schedule 2026, with the closing road trip to Florida State and North Carolina adding to the difficulty in November.
