College football returns sooner than most people expect — because the season now effectively starts twice. Here are both dates, and what is being played on each.

Week 0: August 27–29

The 2026 season opens with Week 0, running Thursday, August 27 through Saturday, August 29, with the bulk of the action on Saturday the 29th. Only five games are scheduled — Week 0 exists largely for teams playing internationally or filling early TV windows.

The headline game: North Carolina vs TCU in Dublin, Ireland, the annual Aer Lingus College Football Classic — and this year it carries a storyline the sport has never had before: the Tar Heels are coached by Bill Belichick. Also on the slate: San Jose State at USC.

Week 1: September 3–5

Week 1 officially begins Thursday, September 3, with the majority of the country playing Saturday, September 5 — Labor Day weekend, the traditional full-scale opening.

Notable Week 1 matchups:

  • Clemson vs LSU
  • Boise State vs Oregon
  • Wisconsin vs Notre Dame — in Green Bay, at Lambeau Field
  • Fresno State vs USC
  • Louisville vs Ole Miss (Nashville) · Baylor vs Auburn (Atlanta)
  • Colorado vs Georgia Tech · Tulane vs Duke · UCLA vs Cal

Why There Is a “Week 0” At All

Week 0 gives a handful of teams an extra week — useful for international fixtures like the Dublin game, where travel and logistics need breathing room, and for networks wanting live college football before the flood. As the sport’s calendar has expanded, leaders have looked at moving more of the schedule forward into Week 0.

Related: What Is College Football 27? — EA Sports’ game launched July 9, 2026 with Dante Moore, Malachi Toney and Kewan Lacy on the cover.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When does the 2026 college football season start?

Week 0 runs August 27–29 (main slate Saturday, Aug 29). Week 1 begins September 3, with most teams playing September 5.

What is the first big game?

North Carolina vs TCU in Dublin, Ireland — Bill Belichick’s first season as UNC head coach.

How many Week 0 games are there?

Five.

What are the biggest Week 1 games?

Clemson-LSU, Boise State-Oregon, Wisconsin-Notre Dame at Lambeau Field, Fresno State-USC and Colorado-Georgia Tech, among others.

Dates and matchups per NCAA.com, Pro Football Network, Sports Illustrated and FBSchedules, 2026; kickoff times and TV assignments are set closer to each week. Photo: American football on a field (Unsplash).