The long, grueling offseason is finally drawing to a close, and college football fans are collectively checking their calendars. While a casual fan might expect the start of College Football is “Week 1”, it is actually “Week 0” in this sport. If you see “Week 0” mentioned and are wondering what is week 0 in college football, you have come to the right place. Consider this your ultimate guide to the first week of fun.
Understanding Week 0: The Ultimate Early Kickoff
In simple terms, Week 0 refers to the weekend of college football games played one week before the full slate start of the season (Week 1), which typically lands on Labor Day weekend.
While Week 1 features a massive, multi-day slate of games stretching from Thursday to Monday night, Week 0 is a much more curated experience. It acts as an elite appetizer for the football-starved masses, offering a handful of select matchups that command the absolute undivided attention of the national audience.
Why Do These Games Start Early?
The NCAA strictly regulates when teams can start their seasons, but certain exceptions allow schools to schedule a Week 0 game. The most common reasons include:
- The “Hawai’i Rule”: Under NCAA bylaws, teams that travel to play the University of Hawai’i (or Hawai’i themselves) are allowed to play a Week 0 game to help offset travel costs and unique scheduling logistics. This also grants them an extra 13th regular-season game on their schedule if they choose to take it.
- International Showcases: Games played outside the United States—such as the recurring matchups in Dublin, Ireland—frequently take place in Week 0 to allow teams an extra bye week later in the season to recover from international jet lag.
- FCS-to-FBS Transitions & Unique Showcases: Distinct matchups featuring specific FCS powerhouses or highly anticipated non-conference rivalries are often granted waivers to stand alone in this premium television window.
CFB Select Note: Playing in Week 0 is actually a bit of an Athletic Department chess move. It gives teams an early taste of live-game action and awards them two bye weeks later in the season rather than the standard one, giving roster depth a massive boost down the stretch. Plus, if using the Hawai’i rule or a similar workaround, you get an extra bye week during the main stretch of the season!
Rankings, Momentum, and the Early Spotlight
Week 0 might feature fewer games, but the stakes are incredibly high. Because these games are the only college football on television, they receive massive Nielsen ratings and hyper-focused media scrutiny.
A dominant win in Week 0 can instantly propel an underrated team into the national conversation, giving them an early momentum boost before the AP Top 25 poll undergoes its first major regular-season shakeup. On the flip side, an unexpected Week 0 loss means a team has to endure seven straight days of sports talk radio calling their entire season a failure before Week 1 even kicks off.
Historically, AP voters are heavily influenced by what they see in these early windows. Programs like TCU have a reputation for outkicking August expectations, while powerhouses like USC and Florida State have frequently found themselves under the microscope early in the year when navigating high expectations.
The Official 2026 Week 0 Schedule
Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 29, 2026. This year’s Week 0 slate is an absolute electric mix of international blockbusters, blue-blood tune-ups, and fascinating matchups between historic FCS giants and FBS staples.
Here is the complete, official schedule, including kickoff times, TV channels, stadium locations, and early betting lines.
| Matchup | Time (ET) / TV | Location / Stadium | Betting Odds |
| North Carolina vs. TCU | 12:00 PM | Aviva Stadium (Dublin, Ireland) | Line: TCU -6.5 O/U: 49.5 |
| San José State @ USC | 3:00 PM NBC | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles, CA) | Line: USC -35.5 O/U: 57.5 |
| NC State @ Virginia | 3:30 PM | Scott Stadium (Charlottesville, VA) | Line: UVA -4.5 O/U: 54.5 |
| Jacksonville State @ North Dakota State | 5:30 PM CBSSN | Fargodome (Fargo, ND) | Line: NDSU -8.5 O/U: 48.5 |
| Sacramento State @ Eastern Michigan | 6:30 PM | Rynearson Stadium (Ypsilanti, MI) | Line: EMU -7.5 O/U: 52.5 |
| Hawai’i @ Stanford | 7:00 PM | Stanford Stadium (Stanford, CA) | Line: STAN -3.5 O/U: 50.5 |
| New Mexico State @ Florida State | 7:00 PM The CW Network | Doak Campbell Stadium (Tallahassee, FL) | Line: FSU -29.5 O/U: 53.5 |
| Memphis @ UNLV | 10:00 PM FOX | Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas, NV) | Line: UNLV -3 O/U: 60.5 |
Games to Watch Highlights
- The Dublin Showdown: North Carolina and TCU head across the pond to break the ribbon on the 2026 season. With TCU historically proving to be an AP Poll darling that plays above its weight class, this is a massive early litmus test for both programs.
- Coliseum Sunset: USC opens its gates at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against San José State. The Trojans are heavily favored, but keeping the locker room dialed in during an early opener is always a challenge.
- The Gridiron Giants Clash: Jacksonville State (who successfully made the jump to FBS recently) travels to face MWC newcomer, North Dakota State, inside the rowdy Fargodome. NDSU is favored by oddsmakers here in what promises to be an absolute slugfest. Meanwhile, keep an eye on fellow MWC newcomer Sacramento State as they visit Eastern Michigan in their first game at the FBS level.
Get Ready for the 2026 Season with CFB Select!
Now that you are locked in on Week 0, it’s time to prep for the rest of the year. Don’t let your college football knowledge stop at the opening kickoff. Bookmark CFBSelect.com to stay in the know, and follow us on X/Twitter as well as Instagram.
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