The Atlantic Coast Conference announced today that the 2026 ACC Football Championship Game will mark the final annual title game for the conference. The decision comes as college athletics shifts toward a 24-team College Football Playoff format scheduled to launch after the 2027 regular season.
For over two decades, the championship matchup has anchored the league’s postseason. While early games rotated through Jacksonville, Tampa, and Orlando, Charlotte emerged as its primary hub — hosting 15 of the past 16 title games at Bank of America Stadium.
“The ACC Football Championship Game has been an important and meaningful part of our Conference’s history, and we are deeply appreciative of the student-athletes, coaches, institutions, fans, corporate partners and host communities that have contributed to its success,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “As we look ahead, the expanded College Football Playoff presents an exciting new chapter for college football and additional opportunities for ACC programs to compete on the sport’s biggest stage.”
Looking Ahead
With the annual title game ending after 2026, the ACC will work alongside member institutions, the CFP, and stakeholders to define future criteria for crowning its league champion and awarding its automatic playoff bid.
The 22nd and final annual ACC Football Championship Game is set for Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET on ABC. The game will feature the top two regular-season teams competing at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, with the winner securing the conference crown and an automatic berth in the College Football Playoff.
