University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: DALTON T. WAINSCOTT
Women’s Soccer Releases 2026 Schedule
July 20, 2026 | Women's Soccer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina women's soccer and head coach Damon Nahas announced the 2026 schedule on Monday afternoon. The slate features a unique trip abroad and competitive nonconference opponents to prepare for the rigors of ACC play.
The Tar Heels will return to Dorrance Field for the first time this season in an exhibition against South Carolina Aug. 5.
UNC will then begin the regular season with a pair of home matches the following weekend against Fairfield and Quinnipiac.
In its first road test of the season, Carolina will travel to face Arkansas in a midweek matchup. The programs have a competitive history with a 5-1 overall record favoring UNC. The Tar Heels and Razorbacks continuously rank among the nation's best, with both finishing in the top 20 last season. The matchup on Aug. 20 marks the first meeting between the teams since 2023.
The Tar Heels then head home to face Big Ten member Michigan State. The Spartans present another opportunity for Carolina to gain competitive time on the pitch before ACC play. Michigan State has reached the Sweet 16 for three consecutive seasons now and finished last season ranked in the top 10.
As announced in the spring, the team will be traveling to Ireland in conjunction with the Aer Lingus Football Classic to compete against Shelbourne FC on August 28. Not only will Carolina be playing in a first-of-its-kind midseason match, but it'll also get to share this experience with alumna and current Shelbourne FC player Maggie Pierce.
"We're incredibly excited for the opportunity to take our program to Ireland. It presents a special opportunity for our team and university. It's also meaningful to share this experience with a former Tar Heel, Maggie Pierce, on Shelbourne — those connections are what make Carolina women's soccer so special," said Nahas.
After returning to the U.S., the team will head west for a weekend in Arizona. The Tar Heels will first face Arizona in Tucson Sept. 3, followed by a Sunday matchup in Tempe against Arizona State.
Carolina will return to Dorrance Field as it opens conference play against Cal on Sept. 10. The ACC opener also kicks off a four-match homestand for the Tar Heels.
The homestand features a key matchup with Duke and a final pair of nonconference games against New Jersey Institute of Technology and Alcorn State. The Tar Heels' match against Duke begins a stretch of ACC play against some of the nation's top programs as the Blue Devils finished last season ranked No. 3.
UNC continues league action at Virginia for its last match in September. Carolina will travel to Charlottesville for the first time since 2023, where it picked up a 1-0 victory. Both programs finished last season in the top 13.
The Tar Heels return home Oct. 2 for a primetime matchup against Notre Dame. Last season, the teams clashed in South Bend, where the Fighting Irish narrowly edged out Carolina, 4-3.
Up next, UNC will prepare for three consecutive road matches starting with a trip to Tallahassee to face Florida State on Oct. 9. The Tar Heels and Seminoles have won the previous three NCAA championships, setting the scene for a must-see matchup this fall.
Carolina will continue its road swing the following weekend at Clemson and Wake Forest.
In their final two home matches of the regular season, the Tar Heels will host Stanford and SMU. The match against Stanford will prove to be yet another test for Carolina as it looks to top the defending ACC champion Cardinal.
For the regular season finale, UNC will hit the road to face Louisville Nov. 5.
Season tickets and single-match tickets will be available Wednesday.
Stay up to date with UNC women's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Tar Heels will return to Dorrance Field for the first time this season in an exhibition against South Carolina Aug. 5.
UNC will then begin the regular season with a pair of home matches the following weekend against Fairfield and Quinnipiac.
In its first road test of the season, Carolina will travel to face Arkansas in a midweek matchup. The programs have a competitive history with a 5-1 overall record favoring UNC. The Tar Heels and Razorbacks continuously rank among the nation's best, with both finishing in the top 20 last season. The matchup on Aug. 20 marks the first meeting between the teams since 2023.
The Tar Heels then head home to face Big Ten member Michigan State. The Spartans present another opportunity for Carolina to gain competitive time on the pitch before ACC play. Michigan State has reached the Sweet 16 for three consecutive seasons now and finished last season ranked in the top 10.
As announced in the spring, the team will be traveling to Ireland in conjunction with the Aer Lingus Football Classic to compete against Shelbourne FC on August 28. Not only will Carolina be playing in a first-of-its-kind midseason match, but it'll also get to share this experience with alumna and current Shelbourne FC player Maggie Pierce.
"We're incredibly excited for the opportunity to take our program to Ireland. It presents a special opportunity for our team and university. It's also meaningful to share this experience with a former Tar Heel, Maggie Pierce, on Shelbourne — those connections are what make Carolina women's soccer so special," said Nahas.
After returning to the U.S., the team will head west for a weekend in Arizona. The Tar Heels will first face Arizona in Tucson Sept. 3, followed by a Sunday matchup in Tempe against Arizona State.
Carolina will return to Dorrance Field as it opens conference play against Cal on Sept. 10. The ACC opener also kicks off a four-match homestand for the Tar Heels.
The homestand features a key matchup with Duke and a final pair of nonconference games against New Jersey Institute of Technology and Alcorn State. The Tar Heels' match against Duke begins a stretch of ACC play against some of the nation's top programs as the Blue Devils finished last season ranked No. 3.
UNC continues league action at Virginia for its last match in September. Carolina will travel to Charlottesville for the first time since 2023, where it picked up a 1-0 victory. Both programs finished last season in the top 13.
The Tar Heels return home Oct. 2 for a primetime matchup against Notre Dame. Last season, the teams clashed in South Bend, where the Fighting Irish narrowly edged out Carolina, 4-3.
Up next, UNC will prepare for three consecutive road matches starting with a trip to Tallahassee to face Florida State on Oct. 9. The Tar Heels and Seminoles have won the previous three NCAA championships, setting the scene for a must-see matchup this fall.
Carolina will continue its road swing the following weekend at Clemson and Wake Forest.
In their final two home matches of the regular season, the Tar Heels will host Stanford and SMU. The match against Stanford will prove to be yet another test for Carolina as it looks to top the defending ACC champion Cardinal.
For the regular season finale, UNC will hit the road to face Louisville Nov. 5.
Season tickets and single-match tickets will be available Wednesday.
Stay up to date with UNC women's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Saturday, July 18
Saturday, July 18
Saturday, July 18
Tuesday, July 14