NC State Opts Out of Return Trip to VCU

NC State will not make the return trip to Richmond next season.

News broke today that the Wolfpack is opting out of the second game of its home-and-home series with VCU.

Sources: NC State will not return the back end of its home-and-home series with VCU.

The two teams were scheduled to play next season at the Siegel Center, but the Wolfpack have opted to buy out of the agreement.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 23, 2026

Prior to last season, former NC State head coach Will Wade scheduled a home-and-home series with the Rams, where he previously served as head coach. The first game of the series was played in Raleigh on November 17, with NC State defeating VCU 85-79.

Now, the second game will not be played.

Cancellation Fee

By opting out of the road game at VCU, NC State will owe the Rams a $190,000 cancellation fee.

While paying the fee is not ideal, the decision gives the Wolfpack more flexibility as Justin Gainey and his staff continue shaping the 2026-27 non-conference schedule.

Non-Conference Schedule Taking Shape

Even without the VCU game, NC State already has several notable non-conference matchups on the schedule.

The Wolfpack is set to face Tennessee in a neutral-site game.

NC State will also host South Carolina in the ACC/SEC Challenge.

In addition, the Pack will participate in the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship, a four-team event that currently includes:

NC State
Wisconsin
Seton Hall
One team still to be announced

That gives the Wolfpack multiple opportunities to build its NCAA Tournament résumé before ACC play begins.

Moving On From the Wade Connection

The VCU series made sense when Will Wade was in Raleigh.

He had deep ties to the Rams’ program, and the matchup carried an obvious storyline.

With Wade now gone and Gainey leading the program, NC State has apparently decided the return trip no longer fits the vision for next year’s schedule.

Final Thoughts

Opting out of the VCU game will cost NC State $190,000, but it also allows the Wolfpack to move forward with more control over its non-conference slate.

Between Tennessee, South Carolina, and the Bahamas tournament, NC State should still have plenty of meaningful opportunities outside of ACC play.

Now the question becomes how Gainey will use the open spot created by removing the road trip to Richmond.