College football schedule 2026: The Hawaii Exemption and Week Zero
FBSchedules.com • • sports
Key Points:
- The 2026 FBS college football schedule begins with Week Zero on Saturday, August 29, featuring eight games, up from five in 2025, due to NCAA rules allowing certain teams to start earlier.
- Week Zero games include traditional Hawaii-related matchups and an international game, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between North Carolina and TCU in Dublin, Ireland.
- NCAA rule changes allow all FCS teams to start their seasons in Week Zero beginning in 2026, and from 2027, all FBS teams can open in Week Zero as part of a standardized 14-week season.
- The Hawaii Exemption remains in effect, permitting teams playing in Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico to schedule a 13th regular-season game; San Jose State will utilize this exemption in 2026.
- Key Week Zero matchups include North Carolina vs. TCU (Ireland), San Jose State at USC, NC State at Virginia, Hawaii at Stanford, and New Mexico State at Florida State, with games broadcast across various networks.
