Nine games, three networks, and a season that opens with a trans-Atlantic flight. The ESPN Week Zero college football schedule 2026 kicks off Friday, August 28, with Idaho at Cal Poly, then builds to a Saturday slate anchored by North Carolina and TCU meeting in Dublin, Ireland.
Friday Opens With an FCS Clash
The ESPN Week Zero college football schedule 2026 technically starts a day early. Idaho travels to Cal Poly for a Big Sky Conference matchup Friday, August 28, kicking off at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT on ESPN, with Roxy Bernstein, Dave Clawson, and Madison Hock on the call.
Saturday’s Full Slate: Dublin to Atlanta
This is the real centerpiece. At noon ET, North Carolina meets TCU at Aviva Stadium in Dublin for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic — the first game of the day and the one with the international spotlight, called by Mike Monaco, Jordan Rodgers, and Dana Boyle.
The afternoon builds from there. Southern faces Alabama State at 3:00 p.m. ET in the Birmingham Football Classic at Legion Field, airing on ESPNU. Thirty minutes later, Virginia hosts NC State in an ACC matchup at 3:30 p.m. ET, simulcast on both ESPN and ACC Network with an All-22 secondary feed option — Wes Durham, Max Browne, and Madison Fitzpatrick calling the game.
The evening doubles up: Mercer hosts East Texas A&M at 7:00 p.m. ET in the FCS Kickoff on ESPN, while Hawai’i travels to Stanford at the same time on ACC Network. Thirty minutes later, at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge takes over — Alabama A&M against Howard at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, airing nationally on ABC with Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker, and Quint Kessenich on the call. Saturday closes at 9:00 p.m. ET with Prairie View A&M at Tarleton State on ESPN2.
Sunday Closes With the Red Tails Classic
ESPN’s Week Zero coverage wraps a day later than everyone else’s. West Alabama meets Tuskegee in the Red Tails Classic from Montgomery, Alabama, at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2, with Jason Ross Jr. and Tyoka Jackson calling the Division II matchup.
Complete ESPN Week Zero Schedule and Announcers
| Day | Matchup | Time (ET) | Network | Announcers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Aug 28 | Idaho at Cal Poly | 10:00 PM | ESPN | Roxy Bernstein, Dave Clawson, Madison Hock |
| Sat, Aug 29 | North Carolina vs. TCU (Dublin) | 12:00 PM | ESPN | Mike Monaco, Jordan Rodgers, Dana Boyle |
| Sat, Aug 29 | Southern vs. Alabama State (Birmingham) | 3:00 PM | ESPNU | Troy Clardy, Forrest Conoly |
| Sat, Aug 29 | NC State at Virginia | 3:30 PM | ESPN / ACC Network | Wes Durham, Max Browne, Madison Fitzpatrick |
| Sat, Aug 29 | East Texas A&M at Mercer (FCS Kickoff) | 7:00 PM | ESPN | Clay Matvick, Rocky Boiman, Laura Stickells |
| Sat, Aug 29 | Hawai’i at Stanford | 7:00 PM | ACC Network | Jorge Sedano, Rodney McLeod, Kendra Douglas |
| Sat, Aug 29 | Alabama A&M vs. Howard (Atlanta) | 7:30 PM | ABC | Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker, Quint Kessenich |
| Sat, Aug 29 | Prairie View A&M at Tarleton State | 9:00 PM | ESPN2 | Ted Emrich, Fozzy Whittaker |
| Sun, Aug 30 | West Alabama vs. Tuskegee (Montgomery) | 8:00 PM | ESPN2 | Jason Ross Jr., Tyoka Jackson |
FAQ
Q: How many games are on the ESPN Week Zero college football schedule 2026?
A: The ESPN Week Zero college football schedule 2026 includes nine games across ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN2, ABC, and ACC Network, spanning Friday, August 28, through Sunday, August 30.
Q: What time does North Carolina vs. TCU kick off?
A: The Aer Lingus College Football Classic between North Carolina and TCU kicks off at noon ET on Saturday, August 29, from Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, airing on ESPN.
Q: What network airs the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in 2026?
A: The Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge between Alabama A&M and Howard airs on ABC at 7:30 p.m. ET from Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta.
Q: Is NC State at Virginia part of the ESPN Week Zero college football schedule 2026?
A: Yes — NC State at Virginia kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, with a simulcast and All-22 secondary feed available on ACC Network.
