The 2026 NC State football schedule opens on the road at Virginia on August 29 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The NC State Wolfpack football schedule 2026 features 13 regular-season games plus a potential ACC Championship berth, with two bye weeks and a late-season stretch of ACC and rivalry games.
Carter-Finley Stadium hosts seven home dates on the 2026 NC State football schedule. The toughest stretch lands in November with consecutive road games at Florida State and North Carolina.
2026 NC State Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | at Virginia CavaliersScott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA | 3:30pm ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Friday | Richmond SpidersCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | 7:00pm ETESPNU | ||
| Saturday | at Vanderbilt CommodoresFirstBank Stadium, Nashville, TN | 12:45pm ETSECN | ||
| Saturday | Appalachian State MountaineersCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | 24 Louisville CardinalsCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Wake Forest Demon DeaconsCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Friday | at Stanford CardinalStanford Stadium, Stanford, CA | 10:30pm ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | California Golden BearsCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Duke Blue DevilsCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Syracuse OrangeCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Florida State SeminolesDoak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at North Carolina Tar HeelsKenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs ACC ChampionshipBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 12:00pm ETABC |
How the 2026 NC State Football Schedule Sets Up
August and early September mix an early road test with home opportunities on the 2026 NC State Wolfpack football schedule. A trip to Virginia on ESPN, a bye, Richmond at home, a road game at Vanderbilt, and Appalachian State at home. That opening stretch gives the Wolfpack two home games and two road contests before the ACC slate ramps up.
October brings #24 Louisville at home, Wake Forest at home, a bye, a late-night road trip to Stanford on ESPN, and California at home. The Louisville game is the clearest early ranked test inside Carter-Finley.
November features Duke and Syracuse at home, then consecutive road games at Florida State and North Carolina. That final stretch will decide seeding for a possible ACC Championship appearance.
Home Games at Carter-Finley Stadium
Seven home dates appear on the 2026 NC State football schedule:
- September 11 vs. Richmond
- September 26 vs. Appalachian State
- October 3 vs. #24 Louisville
- October 10 vs. Wake Forest
- October 31 vs. California
- November 7 vs. Duke
- November 14 vs. Syracuse
The Louisville, Duke, and Syracuse games will draw the biggest crowds in Raleigh.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the 2026 NC State Wolfpack football schedule.
The October 3 home game against #24 Louisville is an early ACC measuring stick. The November 21 road trip to Florida State is a key conference test. The November 28 rivalry game at North Carolina always carries the most weight.
Win two of those three and the Wolfpack stay in control of their path toward a possible December 5 ACC Championship appearance in Charlotte.
Where to Watch NC State Football: TV and Streaming
Confirmed networks on the 2026 NC State TV schedule:
- ESPN (Aug. 29 at Virginia and Oct. 23 at Stanford)
- ESPNU (Sept. 11 vs. Richmond)
- SECN (Sept. 19 at Vanderbilt)
- 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 at Virginia, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Oct. 3 — #24 Louisville at home
- Oct. 23 — At Stanford, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Nov. 28 — At North Carolina
- Dec. 5 — Potential ACC Championship in Charlotte, noon, ABC
The 2026 NC State Wolfpack football schedule opens early and builds toward a demanding November. The rivalry game against North Carolina will still feel like the one that matters most.
FAQ
When does NC State open the 2026 season? NC State opens the 2026 season on the road at Virginia on Saturday, August 29 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
How many home games do the NC State Wolfpack have in 2026? The Wolfpack have seven home games at Carter-Finley Stadium on the 2026 NC State football schedule: Richmond, Appalachian State, #24 Louisville, Wake Forest, California, Duke, and Syracuse.
Who do the NC State Wolfpack play on November 28? On November 28 the Wolfpack travel to Kenan Memorial Stadium to face North Carolina. Time and TV are still TBA.
What channel are NC State games on in 2026? Confirmed networks include ESPN, ESPNU, SECN, and ABC. Most ACC games remain TBA and will be assigned later in the year.
