NC State football won\u2019t be opening the season in Brazil after all.<\/p>\n
NC State and Virginia were scheduled to open the 2026 season with an Atlantic Coast Conference game in Rio de Janeiro on August 29.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But NC State announced Wednesday<\/a> that the game would be played in Charlottesville, where it was previously scheduled to be played as part of a nonconference home-and-home series between the schools. When the ACC moved to a nine-game schedule, the 2026 meeting converted to a conference matchup.<\/p>\n NC State said the change came after \u201cextensive review with operational partners and international stakeholders.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe change follows communication with Athlete Advantage, which informed the ACC and participating schools that the event could not be conducted,\u201d NC State said in a statement.<\/p>\n The league and teams are working with ESPN and the NCAA to keep the game on August 29.<\/p>\n The matchup, branded as \u201cCollege Football Brasil<\/a>,\u201d was originally set for Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro and would have been the first FBS game ever played in South America.\u00a0<\/p>\n Athlete Advantage was the game\u2019s organizer. The group is \u201cengaged in the business of planning, managing, marketing and executing athletic events,\u201d according to NC State\u2019s event participation agreement.<\/p>\n The contract calls for Athlete Advantage to pay NC State $1.5 million if \u201cAA withdraws from or cancels the Event at any time and for any reason\u201d outside of some specifics examples, including a participation review.<\/p>\n The contract called for Athlete Advantage to pay NC State $2 million as a participation fee<\/a> and share revenue from fan travel packages and sponsorship commissions.<\/p>\n Fans who bought tickets or travel packages through the College Football Brasil website will receive refunds.<\/p>\n NC State beat Virginia in Raleigh in 2025, but that game did not count in the ACC standings \u2014 a quirk that helped the Cavaliers reach the ACC Championship Game. <\/p>\n NC State’s season opener vs. Virginia will be relocated to Charlottesville. https:\/\/t.co\/wY1w5VcsLk<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/IintRnzwI9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NC State Football (@PackFootball) June 3, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t