The North Carolina Tar Heels have moved their 2027 home matchup against the North Alabama Lions to the season-opener, FBSchedules.com has learned.
North Carolina had previously been scheduled to host North Alabama on September 25, 2027, a matchup we reported back in 2020. The original agreement called for the Tar Heels to pay the Lions a $450,000 guarantee for the game.
According to a copy of an amendment to the contract obtained from the University of North Carolina via a public records request, North Carolina will now host North Alabama in both schools’ season-opener on August 28, 2027 at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. As part of the change, North Carolina increased the guarantee amount to $500,000.
The date adjustment aligns with the NCAA’s June decision to adopt a uniform 14‑week regular season beginning in 2027. Under the new model, FBS programs may begin most seasons during what is currently known as Week Zero—the weekend before Labor Day—which will become the standard Week 1.
North Carolina and North Alabama have never met on the gridiron, and the Tar Heels have yet to face a current member of the United Athletic Conference. North Alabama, meanwhile, is 0–1 all‑time against present ACC programs, having previously fallen to Florida State.
With this matchup added, North Carolina’s non‑conference slate for 2027 is tentatively set. After hosting North Alabama, the Tar Heels will welcome UCF on Sept. 4 and UConn on Sept. 18 to Kenan Memorial Stadium.
The ACC portion of the 2027 schedule was announced earlier. North Carolina will host Duke, Florida State, Virginia, and Virginia Tech, and will travel to Louisville, NC State, Stanford, Syracuse, and Wake Forest.
For North Alabama, North Carolina is one of two known non‑league opponents in 2027. The Lions are also scheduled to visit Middle Tennessee on Sept. 11.