NC State Cancels 2027 Texas Tech Game Due to ACC Schedule Expansion

The Wolfpack will have to pay a buyout penalty to remove the return trip to Lubbock.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:34pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented college football game, with the sharp planes and overlapping shapes representing the strategic challenges of scheduling in the modern era of conference expansion.The expanded ACC schedule forces NC State to rethink its future non-conference matchups, including the cancellation of a return trip to Texas Tech.Lubbock Today

NC State has canceled its 2027 road game against Texas Tech due to the ACC's move to a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2026. The Wolfpack had a home-and-home series scheduled with the Red Raiders, but will now have to pay a buyout penalty to remove the return trip to Lubbock from their calendar.

Why it matters

The expanded ACC schedule has forced NC State to cancel several future non-conference games, including a trio of SEC home-and-homes. This latest cancellation of the Texas Tech series is another example of how the conference's scheduling changes are impacting the Wolfpack's future opponents.

The details

NC State played the first leg of the home-and-home series against Texas Tech, winning 27-14 at Carter-Finley Stadium in 2022. The return game was scheduled for September 18, 2027 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock. However, with the ACC moving to a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2026, the Wolfpack has had to adjust its future non-conference slate to accommodate the change.

  • The ACC will expand to a nine-game conference schedule starting in the 2026 season.
  • NC State played the first game of the home-and-home series against Texas Tech on September 18, 2022.
  • The canceled return game at Texas Tech was scheduled for September 18, 2027.

The players

NC State Wolfpack

The NCAA Division I football team representing North Carolina State University.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

The NCAA Division I football team representing Texas Tech University.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

NC State still has work to do in canceling future non-conference games to align with the ACC's expanded schedule. The Wolfpack currently has four non-conference games scheduled for 2028 and needs to remove one of them.

The takeaway

The ACC's move to a nine-game conference schedule is forcing NC State to make significant changes to its future non-conference opponents, including the cancellation of a home-and-home series with Texas Tech. This is an example of how conference realignment and scheduling changes can have ripple effects across college football.