ACC votes to expand football schedule to nine conference games, 10 Power 4 games each season

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has announced a significant change to its football schedule. Starting from the 2026 season, the conference will adopt a nine-game conference schedule, up from the current eight-game format. This means that each ACC team will play one additional conference game per season. Furthermore, the ACC has mandated that each team must play a Power 4 opponent (teams from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, or Pac-12 conferences) in their non-conference schedule, bringing the total number of Power 4 games to 10 per season. This decision aims to enhance the overall strength of the ACC's football schedule and improve the conference's competitiveness on a national level. The new format is expected to provide more opportunities for high-profile matchups and better prepare ACC teams for the postseason. The implementation of this change will take effect starting from the 2026 season, allowing the conference and its member institutions time to adjust their schedules accordingly.