The Atlantic Coast Conference has approved a plan to add a ninth conference game for football, a move that aligns it with the rest of the Power 4 and seeks to elevate its status for College Football Playoff slots.
The schedule shift, beginning in 2026, also requires that each ACC member play a 10th game against another Power 4 opponent each year. The ACC described the vote in favor of the shift as “overwhelming,” particularly as strength-of-schedule considerations continue to grow in importance in securing CFP berths.
“[This] decision showcases the commitment and leadership of our ADs in balancing what is best for strengthening the conference and their respective programs,” ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement.
The SEC similarly adopted a ninth conference game last month, with that move also taking effect next year, heightening expectations that the ACC would soon follow suit. The Big Ten and Big 12 already play nine conference games in football.
With the ACC currently having 17 members, the math around the odd number and creating the additional in-conference scheduling requirement is more complex than in other conferences, and Phillips has said some traditional rivalries between SEC and ACC schools could be at risk, as are some individual scheduling agreements with Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish compete in the ACC in most other sports and currently play a handful of football games each year against ACC foes. However, they have steadfastly remained independent in football and are in the Big Ten for men’s ice hockey.
Because of all of this, Phillips added that with the vote, “there will be additional discussions and more details to be determined” regarding the football scheduling.
Before the schedule shift comes into play, the ACC is struggling so far this season against non-conference Power 4 schools and Notre Dame. The conference is just 5–12 on the year in such matchups, much worse than the SEC’s comparable 10–3 record, the Big 12’s 8–6, and the Big Ten’s 5–6.
With all of the Power 4 in alignment on the expanded in-conference scheduling, discussion around an expanded CFP format is expected to revive. Disagreement there continues, however, particularly around how automatic berths would be allocated.
