After months of planning, why NC State football won’t play Virginia in Brazil
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The ACC moved NC State vs. Virginia football from Brazil to Charlottesville.
- Athletes Advantage failed to meet necessary preparation benchmarks for the event.
- NC State will receive $1.5 million from Athletes Advantage for breach of contract.
Anyone rushing to apply for a passport or renew their current one ahead of the N.C. State football season is off the hook. The Wolfpack will no longer play Virginia in Brazil for the season opener.
N.C. State announced on Wednesday the two teams will instead play in Charlottesville. This change comes after the event promoter, Athlete’s Advantage, informed the ACC and the schools “the event could not be conducted,” according to a news release by N.C. State.
“We are certainly disappointed that our road game vs. Virginia won’t take place in Brazil,” N.C. State athletic director Boo Coorigan said in a statement, “but support the decision given the circumstances. It would have been a unique cultural immersion experience for our student-athletes and we are certainly open to revisiting the opportunity in the future.”
It is unclear whether the two teams will play on Aug. 29 as scheduled or move to the following week, when they both were on a bye. ESPN and the ACC are working on scheduling details.
The ACC announced last month the game was originally set for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on Aug. 29, following North Carolina’s noon time slot for its game against TCU in Ireland. As of May 27, the ACC and ESPN promoted the game as a marquee Week 0 matchup.
According information provided by N.C. State, fans who purchased tickets or travel packages for the Brazil event through the official College Football Brasil website will receive refunds.
“Refund administration is being coordinated through applicable ticketing, payment processing, and event partners,” the statement from N.C. State said.
Will NC State get paid for the move?
N.C. State is in line to receive $1.5 million from Athletes Advantage for a “material breach” of agreement, according to the participation contract, which was obtained through a FOIA request. The payment is due no later than 30 days after the organization’s notice of cancellation. It was set to receive $2 million for participating, and a portion of the fan travel package revenue and sponsorship commissions.
The promoter was responsible for organizing the event and performing “all reasonably necessary duties” required to host a college football game, according to the contract. It agreed to work with the participating universities, officials and governing authorities to ensure the game featured NCAA referees, security and necessary equipment.
Both teams were also expected to participate other cultural and promotional activities.
Historic matchup had been planned
N.C. State and Virginia officially announced the international matchup in December. It was supposed to be the first FBS football game played in South America and the first international game for both programs.
The Pack and Cavaliers were originally scheduled to play a nonconference game in Charlottesville, as part of a home-and-home series, in an attempt to increase the number of FBS opponents.
When the ACC moved to a nine-game conference schedule, however, the meeting in Brazil was deemed a league game. This does not significantly alter the original agreement between N.C. State and Virginia. N.C. State now has four true conference road games, instead of three road games and one neutral site. It plays five ACC contests at home.
N.C. State leads the all-time series with Virginia, 37-21-1, winning four straight games and six of the last seven.
The Wolfpack beat the Hoos, 35-31, in a Week 2 nonconference game last season at Carter-Finley Stadium. Senior defensive end Cian Slone intercepted a pass in the end zone on the Hoos’ final drive of the game to clinch the win.
The Wolfpack trailed by 10 points at halftime, before scoring 21 points in the third quarter. Quarterback CJ Bailey accounted for three touchdowns, one pass to Noah Rogers and two rushing scores, to help lift N.C. State to its second win of the season.
Virginia (10-2) went on to win the regular season, going 7-1 in conference play, and will face Duke (7-5) on Saturday in the ACC Championship game. The Cavaliers were picked to finish No. 14 in the preseason poll. N.C. State (7-5) finished 4-4 in league contests.
