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ACC announces move to 9-game conference schedule

On Monday, the ACC officially announced a move to a nine-game conference schedule, with each program required to play one non-conference Power 4 opponent, resulting in a total of at least 10 Power 4 games per season for each ACC member.

“This positions the ACC as one of only two leagues committed to having every team annually play a minimum of 10 games against Power 4 teams,” ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement. “There will be additional discussions and more details to be determined, but today’s decision showcases the commitment and leadership of our ADs in balancing what is best for strengthening the conference and their respective programs.

Due to the ACC sitting at 17 members, one team per year will play eight in-conference games and a minimum of two Power 4 non-conference opponents. This move comes as the SEC announced earlier in the year that it would be moving to a nine-game conference schedule in 2026. The Big Ten and Big 12 already play nine conference games per season.

We have been incredibly intentional throughout our discussions on ACC Football, including the future of our conference schedule. Today, the Athletic Directors of the 17 football-playing institutions overwhelmingly supported a regular season schedule that includes nine conference games and a minimum of 10 games each year against Power 4 opponents.

This positions the ACC as one of only two leagues committed to having every team annually play a minimum of 10 games against Power 4 teams. There will be additional discussions and more details to be determined, but today’s decision showcases the commitment and leadership of our ADs in balancing what is best for strengthening the conference and their respective programs.

As specified in the Conference constitution, the model will be presented to the Faculty Athletics Representatives for formal adoption.

As mentioned, the move has been expected, but ESPN’s Andrea Adelson reported the shift to nine in-conference games will begin in 2027, with multiple ACC teams playing an 8+2 schedule in 2026. Next season, Florida State will complete its home-and-home series against Alabama, along with its yearly rivalry against Florida. However, the move to nine conference games for both the ACC and SEC could put in question other home-and-home matchups scheduled on the Seminoles’ schedule, notably with Georgia in 2027 and 2028.

Today’s announcement aims to help the ACC keep pace with the Big Ten and SEC, and to schedule more impactful matchups, which could impact revenue distribution within the conference.