NC State and Virginia are set to open the 2026 college football season with a groundbreaking matchup in Rio de Janeiro, marking the first time an FBS game will be played in Brazil. The event, named College Football Brasil, is scheduled for August 29, 2026, at the Nilton Santos Stadium, as announced by event organizers on Monday.
This intriguing matchup comes as part of a previously arranged nonconference home-and-home series, which originally included a game at Virginia next season. Earlier this season, NC State triumphed over Virginia with a close score of 35-31 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The initiative for the Brazil game is a collaboration between the NIL firm Athlete Advantage and Brasil Sports Business, and it will be broadcast on an ESPN network. College football has increasingly embraced international venues, following events like the annual Aer Lingus Classic in Dublin, where Iowa State faced Kansas State earlier this season. Furthermore, Arizona State and Kansas are set to play in London next season for the inaugural Union Jack Classic. Michigan also explored the possibility of relocating its 2026 opener against Western Michigan to Frankfurt, Germany, but recently reaffirmed that the game will remain in Ann Arbor.
Currently, Virginia holds a 10-2 record as they prepare to compete against Duke in the ACC championship game this weekend, while NC State finished the regular season with a record of 7-5. This international matchup highlights the growing interest and expansion of college football across borders, promising to create unforgettable memories for teams and fans alike.