The 2026 FBS college football schedule opens with Week Zero on Saturday, August 29, featuring eight matchups — an increase from five a year ago.
Week Zero is the informal label for the slate of games played on the Saturday before Labor Day weekend. It exists because most FBS teams cannot play their first contest until the Thursday preceding Labor Day, which falls on September 3 this season, per NCAA Bylaw 17.13.4.1.
Beginning in 2016, an exception to that rule was added allowing Hawaii, teams that play at Hawaii, and their opponents to open one week earlier. As a result, the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors will visit the Stanford Cardinal in Week Zero on August 29. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm ET (1:00pm HT), with live coverage on the ACC Network.
Five additional Week Zero games are scheduled because San Jose State, North Dakota State, Sacramento State, New Mexico State, and UNLV each travel to Hawaii this season. Their Week Zero matchups are:
– San Jose State at USC
– Jacksonville State at North Dakota State
– Sacramento State at Eastern Michigan
– New Mexico State at Florida State
– Memphis at UNLV
A second exception, Bylaw 17.13.4.1.2, permits Week Zero contests played in foreign countries. One game meets that criteria in 2026: the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, featuring North Carolina vs. TCU at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. The game will air on ESPN at noon ET.
Another international matchup — NC State vs. Virginia — was originally scheduled for Brazil but later moved to Charlottesville, Va. The NCAA approved a waiver allowing the game to remain in Week Zero.
Beginning this season, an NCAA rule change went into effect that allows all Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams to begin their seasons in Week Zero. Specifically, NCAA Bylaw 17.13.4.2 states that “In championship subdivision football, an institution shall not play its first contest (game or scrimmage) with outside competition before the Thursday preceding the FCS Championship Selection date.” This change was made due to the NCAA also allowing FCS teams to play 12-game schedules each season beginning in 2026.
Looking ahead, every FBS team will be permitted to open in Week Zero starting in 2027, effectively making it the new Week 1 in most seasons. This change accompanies the NCAA’s move to a standardized 14‑week season, giving FBS teams two open dates annually.
The long‑standing Hawaii Exemption remains in place as well. Under Bylaw 17.13.6.2(f), any game played in Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico does not count against the FBS maximum of 12 regular‑season contests (Bylaw 17.13.6.1). This allows Hawaii and teams traveling to Hawaii to schedule a 13th game, helping offset travel costs with additional revenue opportunities.
For 2026, San Jose State is the only FBS program utilizing the Hawaii Exemption and will play a 13‑game regular‑season schedule.
2026 College Football Schedule | Week Zero (FBS)
* All times Eastern.
North Carolina vs TCU (Ireland) — 12pm, ESPN/Disney+
San Jose State at USC — 3pm, NBC/Peacock
NC State at Virginia — 3:30pm, ESPN
Jacksonville St. at North Dakota St. — 5:30pm, CBSSN
Sacramento State at Eastern Michigan — 6:30pm, ESPN+
Hawaii at Stanford — 7pm, ACCN
New Mexico State at Florida State — 7pm, The CW
Memphis at UNLV — 10pm, FOX
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