The TCU football team will open its 2026 season in Dublin, Ireland, against North Carolina in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

The game will be Aug. 29 at the 47,000-capacity Aviva Stadium and mark the first time the Horned Frogs have played abroad. TCU will serve as the home team.

TCU is more than just a university and this is more than just a game. This moment represents the expanding global reach of the Horned Frog experience — where academic ambition meets competitive spirit. With deep roots in Fort Worth and meaningful connections abroad, TCU is proud to lead on an international stage where learning, leadership and legacy intersect.

"We are extremely honored that TCU has been invited to participate in the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic," TCU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Buddie said. "This is more than just a football game. It's an opportunity to advance TCU's brand globally while having our student-athletes experience a unique educational opportunity and memory of a lifetime. We thank Aer Lingus and Irish American Events for our selection and know our fans will travel very well, turning Dublin into a sea of purple."

TCU's connection to Ireland is more than symbolic. The university offers international exchanges in Dublin providing students with academic experiences, including internship opportunities, that reflect the university's mission to prepare students for global impact.

"This game is a huge opportunity for the Big 12, TCU Football and our entire university to showcase our elite student-athletes and spirited fans on the global stage," TCU Chancellor Victor J. Boschini Jr. said. "We are honored to be selected for the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic and look forward to seeing our Horned Frog fans in Dublin."

"Texas Christian University is committed to providing our student-athletes with the best collegiate experience in the country through the most competitive and world-class athletics programs, education, facilities, student support and opportunities for success," TCU President Daniel W. Pullin said. "The 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic aligns perfectly with those goals, providing our student-athletes with a unique educational and cultural experience abroad and a chance to display their talents internationally."

This is a win for the entire TCU community and the City of Fort Worth. Community engagement is a strategic priority at TCU, and the Aer Lingus Classic provides a global stage to showcase its culture, talent and momentum. It boosts international visibility, strengthens business and tourism ties between Fort Worth and Dublin, and offers partners a reason to invest in its shared future. With global events like the FIFA World Cup coming to campus in 2026, TCU continues to compete — and connect — at the highest levels.

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic aims to bring American college football to Ireland each year to promote Irish-American relations and collaboration, and 2026 will be the fifth consecutive year that college football begins its season with a game in Dublin.

"We are excited to welcome TCU and North Carolina to Dublin for the 2026 Aer Lingus Classic and offer one-of-a-kind experiences to local and traveling fans," John Anthony, Co-Founder of the Aer Lingus Classic and Executive VP of On Location, said. "This compelling matchup promises to deliver another unforgettable start to the college football season in front of a passionate crowd at Aviva Stadium. We are honored that elite universities like TCU and UNC will continue our tradition to deliver 'Much More Than a Game' to their programs and supporters."

The Horned Frogs and Tar Heels open the 2025 season on Labor Day night, Sept. 1, in Chapel Hill. It will be the only football game, college or NFL, played that day. TCU is one of just two programs nationally to play 11 Power Four Conference opponents this season.

"We will take great pride in representing TCU internationally," TCU Head Football Coach Sonny Dykes said. "With a good number of our players not having traveled overseas, I am most happy for them to have this opportunity and very much appreciate Aer Lingus and Irish American Events making it possible for them as well as all of TCU to share in this experience. It will be special to take the field in Dublin and for our fans to see us on this type of stage in Ireland. We have enjoyed watching past Aer Lingus College Football Classic games, and it's a true honor for us to now play in it and kick off the 2026 college football season."

TCU fans can visit Frogs2Ireland.com to learn more about the game and sign up for ticket updates including official TCU travel and hospitality packages which become available on May 8.

"The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is a key pillar in the Irish sporting calendar and plays a unique role in strengthening the ties between Ireland and the United States," Aer Lingus Chief Executive Lynne Embleton said. "This celebrated event draws tens of thousands of college football fans to Irish shores each year, offering them the chance to support their teams whilst experiencing the unparalleled warmth of Irish hospitality. As an airline committed to connecting people, places and possibilities, Aer Lingus is proud to fly 21 routes from North America to Ireland in 2025. We look forward to welcoming TCU, the University of North Carolina and their many supporters as they travel with Aer Lingus to Dublin for what promises to be an unforgettable game."

As title sponsor, Aer Lingus is responsible for transporting the teams and their delegations to Dublin. Aer Lingus, the Irish flag carrier, operates 21 routes from North America direct to Ireland, as well as offering seamless connections to Europe for U.S. travelers via its hub at Dublin airport.

"We are thrilled to have TCU represent the Big 12 Conference in the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Ireland," Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said. "We continue to grow the Big 12 globally, and having our programs compete in an international setting allow us to showcase the Conference across the world."

The Aer Lingus Classic continues to grow in global stature each year. The sold-out 2024 matchup between Georgia Tech and Florida State drew over 28,400 international visitors from 26 countries, contributing an impressive €146 million to the Irish economy. In 2025, Kansas State and Iowa State will open the college football season in Ireland, with an estimated 21,000 U.S. fans expected to make the transatlantic trip for game week.

"I welcome the news that TCU and the University of North Carolina have been chosen to play the fifth game in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic series," Patrick O'Donovan, Irish Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, said. "This event is now a firm fixture in the Irish sporting calendar. It has huge benefits for Irish tourism, the wider economy, and our sports ecosystem and indeed creates a great atmosphere in Dublin for visitors and locals alike. We look forward to welcoming the teams and their supporters in August 2026 to the Aviva Stadium and to Dublin and beyond, as they take the opportunity of the occasion to explore other parts of Ireland."