LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The Atlantic Coast Conference made an expected move on Monday when athletic directors of its 17 football-playing schools voted to expand to a nine-game league schedule in 2026.
It’s a shift that ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips called “incredibly intentional,” aimed at reinforcing both competitive balance and postseason positioning in the coming era of an expanded College Football Playoff.
“This positions the ACC as one of only two leagues committed to having every team annually play a minimum of 10 games against Power 4 teams,” Phillips said in a statement. “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.”
The vote, backed “overwhelmingly” by the ADs, brings the league in line with the SEC — the only other conference that will mandate at least 10 Power 4 opponents annually.
That total will include nine league games, plus at least one nonconference matchup against a team from the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 or Notre Dame.
For schools like Louisville, the impact is immediate and measurable. The Cardinals already have Kentucky (Nov. 28) and Georgia (Sept. 19) on the 2026 nonconference schedule -- along with Villanova (Sept. 5) and Charlotte (Sept. 28). They'll have to lose one of those opponents to make way for another ACC opponent.
Louisville's eight scheduled ACC opponents for next season are Georgia Tech, Florida State, Pitt, SMU, Stanford, N.C. State, North Carolina and Syracuse.
For fans, it should mean fewer cupcake weekends and more high-stakes matchups. For teams, it will demand more depth, durability and consistency in pursuit of playoff contention.
And for at least one ACC coach, it’s a welcome development.
“I’m 100% in favor of going to nine games, and have been for a while,” Louisville coach Jeff Brohm said back in August. “I think college football, in my opinion, should for the good of the game try to go to where you're scheduling the best opponents every week. … I think it’s better for your team, and I think it’s more enjoyable for the fans, and I think it’s better for the game of football.”
The new model still requires formal adoption by the league’s faculty athletics representatives — a procedural step expected to follow without resistance.
For now, it’s a clear sign the ACC wants to play with the big boys. Literally, every week.
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