Aligning with the other Power Four conferences, the ACC on Monday adopted a nine-game league football schedule for the first time in its 73-year history.

Reflecting the College Football Playoff’s increased emphasis on schedule strength, the ACC is also requiring its teams to play at least one nonconference contest against a Power Four opponent, meaning at least 10 of 12 regular-season games will be against peer programs.

“Today, the athletic directors of the 17 football-playing institutions overwhelmingly supported a regular-season schedule that includes nine conference games and a minimum of 10 games each year against Power Four opponents,” ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said Monday in a statement following a meeting of ADs at the league offices in Charlotte.

The Big Ten and Big 12 already play nine games, and the SEC recently voted to shift from eight to nine starting in 2026. The SEC also is requiring a nonconference game versus the Power Four.

“This positions the ACC as one of only two leagues committed to having every team annually play a minimum of 10 games against Power Four teams,” Phillips said. ”There will be additional discussions and more details to be determined, but today’s decision showcases the commitment and leadership of our ADs in balancing what is best for strengthening the conference and their respective programs. As specified in the conference constitution, the model will be presented to the faculty athletics representatives for formal adoption.”

According to sources, the ACC will move partially to nine games in 2026, with multiple teams playing eight league games and two Power Four nonconference. Full implementation will start in 2027, with only one school playing 8+2 and the remaining 16 playing 9+1.

The ACC did not specify the one school.

ACC athletic directors also considered the 8+2 model for the entire membership, but there was concern that the SEC’s shift to 9+1 would leave too few available nonconference opponents to meet the +2 mandate.

Since expanding beyond nine schools in 2004-05 with the additions of Virginia Tech and Miami, the ACC has often considered adding a ninth league football game. But the objections of schools such as Florida State and Clemson – both play an in-state SEC rival annually – prevailed until Monday’s vote.

The decision will force many ACC programs, including Virginia Tech, to adjust their future nonconference schedules. The Hokies have four contracted nonconference dates in 2026 (VMI, James Madison, Old Dominion and Maryland) and 2030 (Arizona, BYU, Liberty and ODU).

https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/22/acc-announces-move-to-9-game-league-schedules-in-football/