ACC to Launch College Football in South America with Historic Rio de Janeiro Game
In a frist for college football, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) will bring a regular season game to South America, with North Carolina State and Virginia set to open the 2026 season in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 29th. The game, branded ‘College Football Brasil’, will be played at the Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos, home of Botafogo, which has a seating capacity of approximately 46,900.
The fixture will count towards the ACC standings and will be broadcast in the United States on ESPN, with additional streaming options currently being explored.The event is being organized by the Athlete Advantage agency in partnership with Brazil Sport Business.
Rio de Janeiro has a proven track record of hosting major international sporting events, including FIFA World Cup matches, the Olympic Games, and the Copa América. The city is also preparing to host its first National Football League (NFL) regular season game next year, following a multi-year deal that will see at least three NFL games played at the 78,800-seater Maracanã Stadium over the next five years. Previously, São Paulo hosted one NFL fixture in both 2024 and 2025. The NFL estimates Brazil has over 36 million American football fans, making it the league’s second-largest international fan base.
According to the ACC, rio de janeiro was selected due to “its world-class infrastructure, history of hosting global events, and deep passion for football.”
Gustavo Tutuca, Rio de Janeiro’s state secretary of tourism, emphasized the economic benefits of the game, stating, “Hosting this college American football game in Rio de Janeiro is more than a sporting event, it is a strategic opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the North American market, currently one of the most relevant for tourism in the state of Rio.” He further noted that US visitors “have high spending potential, stay longer in the state, and already represent a fundamental part of our international growth,” and that the event will “further increase Rio’s visibility in the US.”
This move reflects a growing trend of college football conferences taking games overseas. Dublin will again host the Aer Lingus Classic in August next year, and the Big 12 has confirmed its first game in London for next year as well.
ACC Commissioner Jim phillips hailed the event as “an extraordinary moment for the ACC and for college football,” adding, “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.” He also expressed appreciation for College Football Brasil and ESPN for their partnership in bringing the event to fruition, stating, “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.”
