We Speak College Football

ACC Says December Title Game in Charlotte Will Be Its Last Annual Football Championship

Published

60 minutes ago

November 10, 2026

ACC Football Championship Game action at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte

Clemson receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. makes a catch against SMU during the ACC Football Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Photo by ACC.

An era is ending in Charlotte. The ACC announced Monday that this December’s title game will be the last one it stages every year, a move tied directly to the College Football Playoff growing to 24 teams and changing how conferences crown a champion.

The Atlantic Coast Conference announced today that the 2026 ACC Football Championship Game will be the final annual football championship game for the Conference. The decision reflects the continued evolution of college athletics and the College Football Playoff’s expansion to a 24-team format beginning with the postseason following the 2027 regular season.

For more than two decades, the ACC Football Championship Game has provided a national stage for the Conference’s student-athletes and programs while creating memorable moments for fans throughout the league. From Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando to its longtime home in Charlotte, each host community has helped build the event into one of college football’s signature Championship Saturday traditions.

Charlotte has been at the heart of that story. The Queen City has hosted 15 of the last 16 ACC Football Championship Games, welcoming teams, fans and the college football world to Bank of America Stadium with unmatched energy, pride and hospitality. Championship weekend has become a celebrated tradition in Charlotte, and the city’s commitment to the ACC, its institutions and its student-athletes has made it an extraordinary home for the event.

The ACC extends its deepest appreciation to the Carolina Panthers, Tepper Sports & Entertainment and the Charlotte Sports Foundation for their longstanding partnership and leadership in helping deliver a first-class championship experience. The Conference is equally grateful to the City of Charlotte, its civic and business leaders, volunteers and the countless fans who have welcomed the ACC community year after year and helped make Championship Saturday in the Queen City so special.

“The ACC Football Championship Game has been an important and meaningful part of our Conference’s history, and we are deeply appreciative of the student-athletes, coaches, institutions, fans, corporate partners and host communities that have contributed to its success,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “Charlotte has embraced this event and our Conference in a truly special way. We are sincerely thankful to the Carolina Panthers, Tepper Sports & Entertainment, the Charlotte Sports Foundation, the City of Charlotte and the people of this great community for their remarkable partnership, hospitality and passion for ACC Football. As we look ahead, the expanded College Football Playoff presents an exciting new chapter for college football and additional opportunities for ACC programs to compete on the sport’s biggest stage.”

As the ACC looks ahead to the expanded College Football Playoff, the Conference will work collaboratively with its member institutions, the CFP and other key stakeholders to determine the future process for identifying its champion and automatic qualifier. Additional details will be shared as that work continues.

The 22nd annual ACC Football Championship Game will be played Saturday, December 5, at noon ET on ABC from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The game will feature the Conference’s top two teams following the regular season, with the winner claiming the ACC Championship and an automatic berth in the College Football Playoff.

Tickets, premium hospitality options and Fan Fest information are available on the ACC Football Championship page.

ACC Sets Week 12 Kickoff Times and TV Homes for November 20 and 21

Published

1 hour ago

November 10, 2026

We Speak Media

Syracuse defenders tackle a Clemson ball carrier during ACC football action. Photo by ACC.

The ACC’s Week 12 picture is set. Nine games across Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21 now carry kickoff times and television homes, headlined by Clemson at Duke under the Friday lights and SMU at Notre Dame in prime time on NBC, with three more games held for a six day window.

The Atlantic Coast Conference and its television partners have announced the following football game times and networks for Week 12 of the season. The schedule includes nine games over Friday and Saturday, November 20-21.

Friday, November 20

Clemson at Duke – 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN – previously announced

Saturday, November 21

Syracuse at Boston College – Noon ET on ACC Network
North Carolina at Virginia – 12:30 p.m. ET on The CW
NC State at Florida State – 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network
Stanford at California – 7:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network
SMU at Notre Dame – 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock – previously announced

Games Placed on a Six-Day Hold

Wake Forest at Georgia Tech
Pitt at Louisville
Virginia Tech at Miami

Purchase Tickets and Premium Hospitality Options Today

Tickets for the 2026 ACC Football Championship Game are on sale now and can be purchased through theACC.com and Ticketmaster.
Groups of 20 or more can take advantage of exclusive pricing and special on-field experiences. For group benefits and pricing, visit theACC.com/FCG or email tickets@theacc.org.
Premium hospitality options provide fans with an elevated gameday experience. To learn more or secure premium seating, visit the ACC Football Championship page.
Registix Reserve is a field-level experience featuring VIP club access, a parking pass, private entrance, exclusive access to an all-inclusive culinary experience in a climate-controlled lounge and postgame field access. The experience is available from gate opening through the conclusion of the championship awards ceremony.
Gridiron Club is a club-level shared-suite experience that includes reserved seating and all-inclusive food and beverage. The experience is available from gate opening through the conclusion of the championship awards ceremony.
Pregame Field Passes provide field access beginning 90 minutes before kickoff through the final 25 minutes of the pregame clock.
Postgame Field Access provides fans the opportunity to experience the championship awards ceremony from a designated on-field area.

Fan Fest

ACC Football fans of all ages can take part in Championship Saturday weekend festivities throughout the Queen City, including Fan Fest at Romare Bearden Park.
The free, two-day event will be open Friday, December 4, from 4-10 p.m. ET and Saturday, December 5, from 8-11:30 a.m. ET. Fan Fest will reopen following the game and remain open until 8 p.m. ET.
Fans can enjoy appearances by all 17 ACC Football mascots, a Friday night concert, games, giveaways, food trucks, a beer garden and more. ACC Network will also broadcast ACC PM live from Fan Fest on Friday afternoon.
Additional Fan Fest activities include: Appearances by ACC Network personalities; Participating team band performances; QB Challenge, field goal kick and football pong; Tailgate games, photo opportunities and giveaways; ACC Football Championship Game merchandise available from Event1; Extra Yard for Teachers Foundation activation; Championship game viewing on LED screens.

Additional event information will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans are encouraged to secure their seats now and make plans to join the ACC in Charlotte for Championship Saturday.