College Football Kickoff: Where to Watch North Carolina vs. TCU in the First Game of the NCAA Season

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A College Craic

Taking place in Dublin, Ireland, here’s how you can tune into the NCAA matchup without paying a dime

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College football is officially back, with North Carolina and TCU facing off at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 12 p.m. ET. The Bill Belichick-led Tar Heels will go head-to-head with the Horned Frogs, at this international matchup.

The showdown will air on ESPN for U.S. audiences, and if you don’t already have a traditional cable subscription, you can still tune in with a free trial or live-TV streaming service like DirecTV, Fubo, or Hulu + Live TV. If you’re a college football superfan and plan on watching throughout the season, we’d suggest opting for a service that doesn’t necessarily offer a free trial but comes with competitive pricing, like ESPN Unlimited or Sling, which can set you up for the rest of the season.

At a Glance: How to Watch the North Carolina vs. TCU Game Online for Free

TCU ended last season with a 9-4 record, while North Carolina finished 4-8 overall. The two teams don’t typically meet, making this matchup a particularly fitting one for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, an annual tradition that brings college football to Dublin.

Where to Watch the North Carolina vs. TCU College Football Game for Free Without Cable, Livestream

Can’t make it to Dublin to watch these two teams kick off the season? You can still stream ESPN from home without a traditional cable subscription by signing up for one of our preferred, editor-approved streaming platforms, including DirecTV, Fubo, Sling, or Hulu + Live TV.

DirecTV

Editor’s Pick

DirecTV

➤ $69.99/month (best plan)
➤ Five-day free trial
➤ Up to 185+ channels

The best way to watch ESPN without cable is through DirecTV. ESPN is included in several DirecTV packages, but the most affordable option is the MySports Genre Pack, which costs $69.99 per month. Right now, you can also get a five-day free trial.

Fubo

Fubo

➤ $55.99/month
➤ Up to $30 off first month
➤ Up to 300+ channels

Fubo is another solid option for watching ESPN without cable, with the sports network included across all of its plans. Subscriptions start at $55.99 per month, and new subscribers can get a five-day free trial.

Sling

Sling

➤ $45.99/month
➤ Short-term passes available
➤ Up to 50+ channels

If you’re looking for a cheaper way to stream ESPN live, Sling is worth considering. ESPN and ESPN2 are both included with the Orange plan, which starts at $45.99 per month. Sling also offers short-term passes if you only need access for a game or two, including a one-day pass for $4.99.

ESPN Unlimited

ESPN Unlimited

➤ $29.99 a month / $299.99 a year
➤ All ESPN content in one place

ESPN now offers a streaming option, ESPN Unlimited, which gives subscribers access to live streams from across the network’s channels. The service costs $29.99 per month, though there’s currently no free trial available.

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV

➤ $89.99/month
➤ Three-day free trial
➤ 95+ channels

Hulu + Live TV is another option for streaming ESPN without a cable subscription. Plans start at $89.99 per month and include 95+ live channels, along with access to Hulu’s on-demand library, Disney+, and ESPN Select. New subscribers can also take advantage of a three-day free trial.

North Carolina vs. TCU College Football Classic Date, Time

North Carolina and TCU will kick off at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 29, from Dublin, Ireland. For the easiest way to watch for free, sign up for a free trial with DirecTV or another eligible streaming service before kickoff.

North Carolina vs. TCU Predictions

TCU is currently favored to beat North Carolina by 8.5 points, according to DraftKings.