What's Happening?
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has approved a transition to a nine-game conference schedule, aligning with other Power Four leagues. This decision, supported by ACC athletic directors, requires teams to play 10 games against Power Four opponents annually. The change follows the SEC's recent move to a nine-game schedule and aims to enhance the ACC's competitive standing. The ACC's unique structure, with 17 league teams, presents scheduling challenges, but plans are in place to fully implement the nine-game model by 2027.
Why It's Important?
The ACC's shift to a nine-game schedule is crucial for maintaining competitive parity with other Power Four conferences. By increasing the number of games against power-conference opponents, the ACC aims to bolster its teams' playoff prospects and improve its revenue distribution model, which now considers TV viewership ratings. This strategic move is designed to address the revenue gap with the Big Ten and SEC, potentially leading to financial benefits for the conference's top football and basketball programs.
What's Next?
The ACC will present the new scheduling model to faculty athletics representatives for formal adoption. While most teams will begin playing nine conference games in 2026, some will continue with existing nonconference commitments. By 2027, the majority of teams will adopt the '9+1 schedule,' with one team playing an '8+2' slate. The ACC's scheduling partnership with Notre Dame and nonconference rivalry games will continue, requiring teams to make strategic decisions about future schedules.
