The Virginia football schedule 2026 opens at home against NC State on August 29 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Virginia football schedule 2026 features 13 regular-season games plus a potential ACC Championship berth, with two bye weeks and historic rivalry games against North Carolina and Virginia Tech at the end.
Scott Stadium hosts seven home dates on the Virginia football schedule 2026. The toughest stretch lands in mid-to-late October with a road trip to ranked SMU and a Friday night home game against Duke.
2026 Virginia Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | NC State WolfpackScott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA | 3:30pm ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Friday | Norfolk State SpartansScott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA | 7:00pm ETACCNX | ||
| Saturday | vs West Virginia MountaineersBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 7:30pm ETACCN | ||
| Saturday | Delaware Blue HensScott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA | Time TBA ETESPN network | ||
| Saturday | at Florida State SeminolesDoak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Syracuse OrangeScott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at 19 SMU MustangsGerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | Duke Blue DevilsScott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA | 7:00pm ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | at Wake Forest Demon DeaconsAllegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | California Golden BearsScott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| South’s Oldest Rivalry | ||||
| Saturday | North Carolina Tar HeelsScott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Commonwealth Cup | ||||
| Saturday | at Virginia Tech HokiesLane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs ACC ChampionshipBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 12:00pm ETABC | ||
How the Virginia Football Schedule 2026 Sets Up
August and September mix an early ACC opener with home and neutral-site opportunities on the Virginia football schedule 2026. NC State at home on ESPN, a bye, Norfolk State at home, a neutral-site game against West Virginia in Charlotte, and Delaware at home. That early stretch gives the Cavaliers a chance to build momentum before the tougher ACC slate.
October brings a road trip to Florida State, Syracuse at home, a road game at #19 SMU, a Friday night home date against Duke on ESPN, and a trip to Wake Forest. The SMU and Duke games are the clearest mid-season measuring sticks.
November features a bye, California at home, the South’s Oldest Rivalry against North Carolina at home, and the Commonwealth Cup at Virginia Tech. That final stretch will decide seeding for a possible ACC Championship appearance.
Home Games at Scott Stadium
Seven home dates appear on the Virginia football schedule 2026:
- August 29 vs. NC State
- September 11 vs. Norfolk State
- September 26 vs. Delaware
- October 10 vs. Syracuse
- October 23 vs. Duke
- November 14 vs. California
- November 21 vs. North Carolina (South’s Oldest Rivalry)
The NC State, Duke and North Carolina games will generate the strongest crowds in Charlottesville.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the Virginia football schedule 2026.
The August 29 home opener against NC State sets the tone immediately. The October 17 road trip to #19 SMU is a key ACC test. The November 21 South’s Oldest Rivalry against North Carolina and the November 28 Commonwealth Cup at Virginia Tech always carry extra weight.
Win two of the major rivalry and ranked games and the Cavaliers stay in control of their path toward a possible December 5 ACC Championship appearance in Charlotte.
Where to Watch Virginia Cavaliers Football: TV and Streaming
Confirmed networks on the Virginia TV schedule 2026:
- ESPN (Aug. 29 vs. NC State and Oct. 23 vs. Duke)
- ACCNX (Sept. 11 vs. Norfolk State)
- ACCN (Sept. 19 vs. West Virginia)
- ESPN network (Sept. 26 vs. Delaware)
- ABC (Dec. 5 ACC Championship)
Most remaining ACC games still list TV as TBA. Expect the usual mix of ESPN networks and ACC Network once the final assignments drop.
Key Dates at a Glance
- Aug. 29 — Season opener vs. NC State, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Oct. 17 — At #19 SMU
- Nov. 21 — South’s Oldest Rivalry vs. North Carolina
- Nov. 28 — Commonwealth Cup at Virginia Tech
- Dec. 5 — Potential ACC Championship in Charlotte, noon, ABC
The Virginia football schedule 2026 opens with an early ACC test and builds toward historic rivalries. November will decide everything.
FAQ
When does Virginia open the 2026 season?
Virginia opens the 2026 season at home against NC State on Saturday, August 29 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
How many home games do the Virginia Cavaliers have in 2026?
The Cavaliers have seven home games at Scott Stadium on the Virginia football schedule 2026: NC State, Norfolk State, Delaware, Syracuse, Duke, California, and North Carolina.
Who do the Virginia Cavaliers play in the South’s Oldest Rivalry?
On November 21 the Cavaliers host North Carolina in the South’s Oldest Rivalry at Scott Stadium. Time and TV are still TBA.
What channel are Virginia games on in 2026?
Confirmed networks include ESPN, ACCNX, ACCN, ESPN network, and ABC. Most ACC games remain TBA and will be assigned later in the year.
