ACC Schools Will Now Play a 9-Game Conference Schedule, with 1 Required Power 4 Non-Conference Game

What was rumored to be has come to fruition.

On Monday, the ACC officially announced it will be increasing the football conference schedule from 8 to 9 games, as well as requiring 1 non-conference game against a Power 4 opponent.

Previously, the ACC had expressed its desire for schools to schedule 1 of their 4 non-conference games against a Power 4 opponent. Now it’s a requirement.

NC State Head Coach Dave Doeren has been vocal on numerous occasions regarding his desire for the ACC slate to increase from 8 to 9 games. In fact, he wouldn’t mind every game being a conference game.

This season, the Wolfpack has 2 non-conference games against Power 4 opponents. NC State beat Virginia 35-31 at home in Week 2, and will play at Notre Dame on October 11th. In fact, the Wolfpack already has two Power 4 non-conference games scheduled for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

2026: at Virginia and at Vanderbilt
2027: at Texas Tech and at home against Kansas St.