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NC State working to finalize game vs. Virginia in Brazil in 2026 season

image_6483441 (3)by: Noah Fleischman11/19/25fleischman_noah
CJ Bailey
NC State redshirt sophomore quarterback C.J. Bailey accounted for three touchdowns in the Wolfpack's 48-36 win over No. 8 Georgia Tech on Saturday. (USA Today Sports photos)

NC State is working to take its talents internationally. The Wolfpack is finalizing a deal to play against Virginia in Brazil during the 2026 season, a source confirmed to TheWolfpacker.com.

The Wolfpack and Cavaliers played a nonconference game this season, which was set to be returned in Charlottesville next fall. This international game would replace that contest, according to TheWolfpacker.com’s understanding of the agreement. NC State knocked off Virginia 35-31 in Week 2, which was the Cavaliers’ first loss of the 2025 campaign.

This would mark the first time NC State football will play outside the United States in program history. It joins a recent trend of international contests at the college level as Dublin has hosted an early-season game in each of the last four seasons, while North Carolina is set to face off with TCU in Ireland to open the 2026 season.

While this game would be the first time college football has been played in Brazil, the NFL has hosted two games in the country over the past two seasons. The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles met at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo in 2024 before the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers met earlier this season.

The NFL is set to play a game at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in 2026.

NC State’s 2026 schedule also includes a road trip to Vanderbilt (Sept. 19) with home games against App State (Sept. 26) and Richmond (Sept. 12). The Wolfpack’s ACC opponents for the 2026 campaign include: Cal, Duke, Louisville and Wake Forest at home with trips to Florida State, UNC, Stanford and Virginia Tech on the road.