College Football Returns to Dublin: UNC, TCU and the Season Ahead
College Football Goes Back to Dublin
This is the fourth consecutive season that college football kicks off in Ireland — Notre Dame and Navy opened the streak in 2023, Georgia Tech and Florida State followed in 2024, and Iowa State and Kansas State played in Dublin last year. North Carolina becomes just the fourth current ACC school to make the trip, and it is the first international game in program history. More than 16,000 American supporters are traveling over for the week, split pretty evenly between North Carolina and Texas, turning Dublin into a college football town for a weekend.
The trip came at a price for the home side: TCU gave up a home date in Fort Worth to move the game across the Atlantic, with North Carolina negotiating compensation as part of the deal. It is the fifth all-time meeting between the programs — the Tar Heels lead the series 3-1 — and the first time they have met in back-to-back seasons.
Ohio State Buckeyes #2 Terrelle Pryor Jersey — White Stitched
The coaches have spoken: Ohio State opens 2026 at No. 1 in the Coaches Poll. Terrelle Pryor's No. 2 — the dual-threat legend who led the Buckeyes to three straight BCS title games — in white stitched tackle-twill.
The Revenge Plot: Belichick, Year Two
The storyline writes itself. When the teams opened the 2025 season on Labor Day night at Kenan Stadium, North Carolina marched 83 yards to an early lead — and then the night unraveled. TCU rolled to a 48-14 victory, and the Tar Heels limped to a 4-8 finish in Belichick’s debut campaign in Chapel Hill. Twelve months later, the man with six Super Bowl rings gets his do-over on a global stage.
North Carolina spent the off-season rebuilding aggressively: a nationally ranked recruiting class (22nd per 247Sports), quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and edge rusher Jaylen Harvey arriving via the portal, and veteran Bobby Petrino hired as offensive coordinator to jump-start an attack that stagnated a year ago. The Tar Heels kept a low profile through spring — no spring game, limited media access — which only adds to the mystery of Year Two.
TCU arrives as the favorite. The Horned Frogs went 9-4 last season and beat USC 30-27 in an overtime Alamo Bowl thriller, and national pundits see them as a legitimate Big 12 title contender. But they lost quarterback Josh Hoover to the transfer portal — he landed at Indiana — and Harvard transfer Jaden Craig, who threw for 2,869 yards and 25 touchdowns in the Ivy League, is competing to take over Sonny Dykes’ offense. A new coordinator is installing the scheme; safeties and corners lead the defense. High ceiling, new-look parts.
Texas Longhorns #16 Arch Manning Jersey — Black Stitched
The most famous name in college football under center in burnt-orange country. Arch Manning's No. 16 in black stitched — the jersey every Longhorns household needs this fall.
The Season Ahead: Buckeyes, Ducks and a New Champion
While Dublin takes the spotlight, the preseason Coaches Poll tells you where the smart money is: Ohio State at No. 1, Oregon at No. 2, and defending champion Indiana — yes, Indiana — looming in the chase pack after last season’s perfect title run. The 12-team College Football Playoff is back for another season, which means more contenders stay alive deeper into November than ever before. Week 0 itself stretches across more than 12 consecutive hours of football, from the Dublin opener at noon ET to a 10 p.m. showdown in Las Vegas.
Georgia Bulldogs #14 Gunner Stockton Jersey — 100th Anniversary Black
Georgia celebrates 100 years of Bulldogs football in 2026, and Gunner Stockton is the quarterback carrying it. The No. 14 in the black 100th-anniversary stitched edition.
| Time (ET) | Week 0 Matchup | TV |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 PM | North Carolina vs TCU — Aer Lingus Classic, Dublin | ESPN |
| 3:00 PM | San Jose State at No. 14 USC | NBC |
| 3:30 PM | NC State at Virginia | ESPN |
| 7:00 PM | New Mexico State at Florida State | The CW |
| 10:00 PM | Memphis at UNLV | Fox |
Want the deeper dive on the whole 2026 campaign — the Heisman race, the playoff picture, every storyline beyond Dublin? Read our full 2026 College Football Season Preview, then come back for the shopping list below.
How to Choose Your College Jersey: Fan, Stitched, Custom or Throwback
Not sure which style fits your fandom? Here is the short version — four ways to rep your school, from value to full flex:
| Style | Best For | Look & Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Fan Jersey | Everyday wear, first-time buyers | Lightweight breathable mesh, printed graphics, relaxed athletic cut — the value pick. |
| Stitched Jersey | Dedicated fans, collectors | Tackle-twill numbers and nameplates, heavier drape, closest to what Saturdays look like on the field. |
| Custom Jersey | Your own name & number | Same premium build with your personal details — the ultimate flex. |
| Throwback | Legacy & nostalgia | Pryor, McCarron, Mathieu, Manning — college football history on your back. |
Every Team, One Place
The new season is here across every conference. Tap your school to jump straight to its full jersey collection:
Game Day Fit & Care Guide
College jerseys run true to US sizing with a relaxed athletic cut — size up if you layer for cold-weather tailgates. Machine wash cold, inside-out on a gentle cycle and hang dry to keep stitched names, numbers and conference patches crisp from Week 0 to bowl season.
The Preseason Powerhouse Picks
Six more stitched classics from the teams that will own the playoff conversation — all in stock now.
More Throwback Legends
Five more program icons for the collectors — Sooners, Tigers, Noles, Nittany Lions and Vols.
Game Day FAQ
Q: When is the 2026 college football game in Dublin?
Saturday, August 29, 2026, at noon ET (5 p.m. local) at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, televised on ESPN as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. It is the headliner of an eight-game Week 0 slate and the first international game in North Carolina history.
Q: Why is UNC vs TCU a revenge game?
TCU rolled to a 48-14 win when the teams opened the 2025 season at Kenan Stadium on Labor Day night, and the Tar Heels finished Bill Belichick's first season 4-8. This is the fifth all-time meeting - North Carolina leads the series 3-1 - and the first time the programs have met in back-to-back seasons.
Q: Who are the 2026 national championship favorites?
The preseason Coaches Poll has Ohio State at No. 1 and Oregon at No. 2, with defending champion Indiana in the chase pack. USC opens at No. 14 and hosts San Jose State in Week 0. The 12-team College Football Playoff format returns for another season.
Q: Who is TCU's new quarterback?
Jaden Craig, a Harvard transfer who threw for 2,869 yards and 25 touchdowns in the Ivy League, is expected to compete for the starting job after Josh Hoover transferred to Indiana. TCU went 9-4 last season and beat USC 30-27 in overtime in the Alamo Bowl.
Q: Do you ship internationally?
Yes — we ship to North America and Europe, with free delivery on orders over $59 and 30-day easy returns.