Belichick's North Carolina set for Dublin showdown

Eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick is set to take his University of North Carolina side to Dublin, it was announced this afternoon.

Belichick, the most decorated coach in NFL history, was appointed North Carolina Tar Heels head coach in December, and his side have been announced as the visiting team for the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic, where they will face Texas Christian University at the Aviva Stadium on 29 August next year.

"We're grateful to be selected to participate in the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic," Belichick said. "It's a tremendous opportunity for our programme and we’re excited to represent the university and our community on an international stage."

Belichick left the New England Patriots at the end of the 2023 season after a glittering 24-year reign, during which the franchise won a record six Super Bowls. He had previously won two Super Bowl rings in 1986 and 1990 as defensive co-ordinator at the New York Giants.

After leaving New England, Belichick was subsequently interviewed to take over as Atlanta Falcons head coach but was overlooked for the role, making the surprise move to college football as North Carolina coach.

The 2026 game between Texas and North Carolina will be the latest edition of the Aer Lingus event at the Aviva, which commenced back in 2016 with a meeting of Georgia Tech and Boston College.

There followed a six-year hiatus until the 2022 game between Northwestern and Nebraska, the game becoming an annual staple ever since. The 2025 game between Kansas State and Iowa State is scheduled for 23 August.

"I welcome the news that TCU and the University of North Carolina have been chosen to play the fifth game in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic series," said Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan.

"This event is now a firm fixture in the Irish sporting calendar. It has huge benefits for Irish tourism, the wider economy, and our sports ecosystem and indeed creates a great atmosphere in Dublin for visitors and locals alike. We look forward to welcoming the teams and their supporters in August 2026 to the Aviva Stadium and to Dublin and beyond, as they take the opportunity of the occasion to explore other parts of Ireland."

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