ACC’s 2025-26 Men’s Basketball Schedule: New Format, Rivalries, and the Road Ahead
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has unveiled its 2025-26 men’s basketball schedule, marking a significant shift in how teams will compete within the league. This season introduces a new 20-game conference format, a departure from the traditional round-robin structure, which has sparked discussions about the impact on rivalries and competitive balance. The revised schedule aims to accommodate the conference’s expansion, including the addition of California (Cal), Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Stanford, while maintaining a competitive and engaging season for fans and teams alike.
Under the new scheduling model, each ACC team will play 20 conference games. The structure includes two home-and-away series against two designated partners, one repeat opponent (home and away), and 14 other games—seven at home and seven on the road—against different opponents. This approach is designed to balance the need for traditional rivalries with the logistical challenges posed by the conference’s expansion. However, it also means that some longstanding rivalries may not be featured every season, leading to mixed reactions among fans and analysts.
For instance, Duke’s 2025-26 schedule includes home-and-home series with North Carolina and Louisville, while other matchups include home games against Boston College, Clemson, Georgia Tech, SMU, Syracuse, Virginia, and Wake Forest, and away games at California, Florida State, NC State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Stanford, and Virginia Tech. Notably, Duke will not face Miami during the regular season, highlighting the changes in traditional rivalries due to the new scheduling format.
Similarly, other teams have seen adjustments in their schedules. Wake Forest, for example, will have home-and-home series with Duke, NC State, and Stanford. This ensures that some of the ACC’s most storied rivalries remain intact, even as the conference navigates the complexities of its expanded membership.
The expanded conference also brings new matchups and opportunities for teams to face opponents they may not have encountered regularly in the past. For example, Syracuse will play against California, SMU, and Stanford, introducing new challenges and dynamics to their schedule.
While the new scheduling format aims to balance tradition with the realities of conference expansion, it has also led to discussions about the potential dilution of rivalries and the impact on competitive balance. Some fans and analysts have expressed concerns that the lack of a round-robin structure may affect the integrity of the conference standings and the overall excitement of the season. However, the ACC remains committed to providing a competitive and engaging basketball season, with the hope that the new format will bring fresh dynamics and opportunities for teams and fans alike.
As the season progresses, teams will have the chance to prove themselves in this new format, and fans will be eager to see how the changes affect the dynamics of the conference. The 2025-26 ACC men’s basketball season promises to be a unique and exciting chapter in the history of the conference.
