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.

North Carolina and TCU announced Tuesday that they would open the 2026 season against each other in Ireland. It’s the second game of a series between the two schools that begins on Labor Day when the Tar Heels host the Horned Frogs on Sept. 1.