College football is once again taking gameday action to an international stage. North Carolina State University and the University of Virginia will kick off the 2026-27 football season in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
According to ESPN, it will be the first college football game played in South America and UVA will act as the home team. The game will count toward official ACC conference standings.
Current NCAA rules allow teams to play one regular-season game in a foreign country every four years. Previous international contests have included the 1976 Pioneer Bowl between Grambling State and Morgan State in Tokyo, the 1980 game between UCLA and Oregon, and the 2024 game between Georgia Tech and Florida State in Ireland’s Aviva Stadium.
"To have NC State and Virginia open our conference schedule on an international stage in Rio de Janeiro speaks to the vision, innovation, and collaboration of our league," ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said in the statement. "This is an extraordinary moment for the ACC and for college football. We appreciate College Football Brasil for this incredible opportunity to celebrate our student-athletes and highlight the global appeal of the ACC, our schools, and the sport of football. We're proud of both institutions for leading the way in this historic event and our partners at ESPN, who will broadcast this premier event."
NC State and UVA will match up in Nilton Santos Stadium, locally known as Engenhao, which can hold over 40,000 spectators and previously hosted sporting events for the 2016 Olympics.
"This is a great opportunity for the University of Virginia and our football program," Virginia athletic director Carla Williams said in a statement. "UVA is already recognized globally, and this event allows us to expand our international presence, both as a leading academic institution and as a premier athletics program. We're honored to participate in such a historic event and thrilled that Brazil will be our host."
