Week Zero Goes Big: Hawaii Exemption Shapes the 2026 College Football Start
The 2026 season formalizes Week Zero with eight games, boosted by Hawaii’s exemption allowing an earlier start; Hawaii at Stanford headlines Week Zero on Aug 29, joined by San Jose State at USC, Jacksonville State at North Dakota State, Sacramento State at Eastern Michigan, New Mexico State at Florida State, and Memphis at UNLV, plus the Aer Lingus Classic NC vs TCU in Dublin. An NCAA change lets FCS teams open in Week Zero, and starting in 2027 all FBS teams will begin in Week Zero as part of a 14-week schedule; Hawaii’s exemption persists with San Jose State as the lone 13-game 2026 program under the exemption. NC State vs Virginia remains in Week Zero after a Brazil scheduling change, illustrating how the new framework blends travel, exemptions, and a standardized calendar for both FCS and FBS play.