ACC Releases Conference Schedule for Men’s Basketball in 2025–2026
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has unveiled its men’s basketball conference schedule for the 2025–2026 season, marking a significant chapter in the league’s evolution. This season introduces a new 18-game conference format, accommodating the recent expansion that welcomed California (Cal), Stanford, and Southern Methodist University (SMU) into the fold. The integration of these institutions not only broadens the ACC’s geographic footprint but also introduces fresh dynamics to traditional rivalries and scheduling structures.
Under the new scheduling model, each team will engage in home-and-away games with two designated scheduling partners, along with one additional repeat opponent. The remaining 12 games are split evenly between home-only and away-only matchups. This approach aims to balance competition while fostering new rivalries and maintaining existing ones.(Duke University, virginiasports.com)
For instance, Duke University will face North Carolina and Wake Forest in both home and away games, preserving the storied Tobacco Road rivalries. Additionally, Duke will have a home-and-away series with Miami. Their home-only games include matchups against Cal, Florida State, NC State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Stanford, and Virginia Tech. On the road, the Blue Devils will travel to face Boston College, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Louisville, SMU, Syracuse, and Virginia. (Backing The Pack, Duke Basketball Report, Duke University)
Florida State University (FSU) will host Boston College, Cal, Duke, NC State, Stanford, Virginia, and Wake Forest. The Seminoles’ away games are scheduled against Clemson, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech. FSU will have home-and-away series with Miami and SMU, but notably, they will not face Louisville during the regular season. (Tomahawk Nation)
The University of Virginia’s schedule includes home games against NC State, Louisville, SMU, Boston College, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Duke, Clemson, and Florida State. Their road games feature matchups at SMU, California, Stanford, Louisville, Miami, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Wake Forest, and Syracuse. (virginiasports.com)
Wake Forest University will host Boston College, NC State, Stanford, North Carolina, Duke, Pittsburgh, Florida State, Virginia, Notre Dame, and Georgia Tech. Their away games are scheduled against Clemson, Syracuse, Miami, Virginia Tech, Louisville, Stanford, California, SMU, NC State, and Duke. (Wake Forest University Athletics)
SMU’s inaugural ACC schedule features home games against Virginia, Duke, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Cal, Stanford, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, Clemson, and Syracuse. The Mustangs will travel to face Boston College, North Carolina, Virginia, Miami, NC State, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Cal, Stanford, and Florida State. (SMU Athletics)
Virginia Tech’s schedule includes home games against Pitt, Louisville, North Carolina, NC State, SMU, Syracuse, Wake Forest, and Virginia. Their away games are set against Boston College, Cal, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, and Stanford. The Hokies will have home-and-away series with Clemson, Miami, and Virginia. (Virginia Tech Athletics)
The ACC’s expansion and new scheduling format have sparked discussions among fans and analysts. Some express concerns about the disruption of traditional rivalries and the unbalanced nature of the schedule. For example, the absence of a home-and-home series between North Carolina and NC State for the first time since 1919 has been a point of contention. Critics argue that the current format sacrifices tradition and competitive integrity for logistical convenience. (Duke Basketball Report, Duke Basketball Report)
Despite these concerns, the ACC remains committed to providing a competitive and exciting basketball season. The 2025 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament is scheduled to take place from March 11 to March 15 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, continuing the tradition of holding the tournament in the conference’s home state. (Virginia Tech Athletics)
As the season approaches, fans eagerly anticipate the unfolding of new rivalries and the continuation of historic ones, all within the evolving landscape of ACC men’s basketball.
