College football returns to ESPN on Aug. 28-30 with a Week 0 schedule highlighted by an international season opener in Ireland, the first ACC matchup of the season and one of the sport’s premier HBCU showcases. Across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ACC Network and ESPN+, fans can follow the first games of the 2026 campaign from Dublin to Atlanta and beyond.
The Saturday slate begins with the Aer Lingus College Football Classic as North Carolina and TCU meet in Dublin, Ireland, at noon ET on ESPN. The annual overseas showcase continues college football’s longstanding presence in Ireland while providing one of the first showdowns of the new season. The new pairing of Mike Monaco, Jordan Rodgers and Dana Boyle begin the season together across the pond for the call.
Later in the afternoon, NC State visits Virginia (3:30 p.m., ESPN) with the lead ACCN commentary team of Wes Durham, Max Browne and Madison Fitzpatrick announcing the first ACC game of the 2026 season, while Stanford hosts Hawai’i at 7 p.m. on ACC Network with Jorge Sedano, Rodney McLeod and Kendra Douglas. Additionally, ACC Network will have an All-22 secondary viewing option of the NC State/Virginia showdown from Charlottesville.
Week 0’s primetime spotlight shifts to Atlanta as ESPN’s lead HBCU team of Tiffany Greene and Jay Walker are joined by Quint Kessenich as Alabama A&M and Howard meet in the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff (7:30 p.m., ABC). Since its inception, the event has served as a marquee opening-weekend celebration of HBCU football and culture, annually matching teams from two of the sport’s most historic conferences.
Additional highlights include Friday night’s season opening showcase between Idaho and Cal Poly on ESPN (Roxy Bernstein, Dave Clawson, Madison Hock), Saturday’s Birmingham Football Classic at 3 p.m. on ESPNU (Troy Clardy, Forrest Conoly), the FCS Kickoff between East Texas A&M and Mercer on ESPN in primetime Saturday (Clay Matvick, Rocky Boiman, Laura Stickells), and Sunday’s Red Tails Classic featuring West Alabama and Tuskegee on ESPN2 (Jason Ross Jr, Tyoka Jackson).
College Football Countdown airs Saturday, Aug. 29
A week 0 edition of College Football Countdown will air live on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to noon ET on ESPN. Kevin Negandhi will host alongside Greg McElroy, Jesse Palmer, Booger McFarland and Pete Thamel, leading directly into the 2026 Aer Lingus Football Classic between TCU and UNC.
Commentators are subject to change. Please visit ESPNPressRoom.com and @ESPNPR for the latest updates on schedules, on-air teams and more.