NC State, Virginia to make history with Brazil game in 2026
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- NC State and Virginia will make history on Aug. 29, 2026, when they face each other in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the first college football game played in South America.
Dubbed "College Football Brasil," the game will be played at Nilton Santos Stadium (also known asEngenhão) and televised by ESPN with additional streaming possibilities still being discussed.
"We're excited about the opportunity to play a game in a beautiful, world-renowned city like Rio de Janeiro and to bring American football to another continent," NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan said in a statement. "It's definitely a unique situation to play a road game versus Virginia in Brazil, but it should be an unforgettable experience."
The name "College Football Brasil" intentionally uses the Portuguese spelling of "Brasil" to reflect "the spirit of cultural connection at the core of this event," according to a news release.
The distance between Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh and Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro is more than 4,600 miles.
"Would I go if my ticket was paid for? Maybe," said NC State student Alex Miller on Monday. "I mean, I'm not flying there myself."
Another student, Josh Kelly, considers the Wolfpack's inclusion in the inaugural event to be a big deal for the school and the ACC.
"For NC State to be the first college team, I mean, that's a big deal," said Kelly, a sophomore. "I would expect it to be some big SEC school. Not necessarily NC State."
That said, it seems unlikely he'll be at the game -- unless someone is picking up the tab.
"That's the only way I'm going. I mean, if I can afford that, I'm a broke college kid like everyone else here," Kelly said.
Rio de Janeiro has hosted the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, and the Copa America. The NFL has held games in São Paulo and recently signed a multiyear agreement to bring at least three more to Brazil over five years, starting with a game in Rio de Janeiro in 2026. The city was selected for its international prestige, stadium quality and ability to host large-scale events safely and efficiently.
"To have NC State and Virginia open our conference schedule on an international stage in Rio de Janeiro speaks to the vision, innovation, and collaboration of our league," ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said in the statement. "This is an extraordinary moment for the ACC and for college football. We appreciate College Football Brasil for this incredible opportunity to celebrate our student-athletes and highlight the global appeal of the ACC, our schools, and the sport of football. We're proud of both institutions for leading the way in this historic event and our partners at ESPN, who will broadcast this premier event."
The game is organized by Athlete Advantage in partnership with Brazil Sports Business and has the full support of the government partners in Rio. It will be played in the home of Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas of the Brazilian Serie A. The 44,661-seat stadium has also hosted numerous world-class events, including the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Athlete Advantage, the sports revenue firm partly behind the deal, declined to give financial specifics into how much money both schools are set to gain from this matchup. Along with specifically what led up to those two schools being chosen over schools such as Notre Dame, Alabama, Georgia, and the University of Southern California, among other perennial powerhouses.
Virginia will be the designated home team, and the game will count toward the ACC standings.
"This is a great opportunity for the University of Virginia, and our football program," Virginia athletic director Carla Williams said in a statement. "UVA is already recognized globally, and this event allows us to expand our international presence, both as a leading academic institution and as a premier athletics program. We're honored to participate in such a historic event and thrilled that Brazil will be our host."
ABC11 reached out to NC State for comment, but the university declined to make further remarks.
Presale tickets are already on the market. Public ticket sales will be available via Ticketmaster beginning Dec. 15.
The NC State-Virginia game also comes on the day that UNC will kick off against TCU in Dublin, Ireland.
ESPN contributed.
