How to Watch Notre Dame vs UNC for Free: Live Stream NCAA College Football, TV Channel

No. 3 Notre Dame visits North Carolina in a Week 5 college football matchup. Here’s how to watch the game for free today.

by Ayomide Adeduyite

Oct 3, 2026

No. 3 Notre Dame visits North Carolina in a Week 5 college football matchup. Here’s how to watch the game for free today.

Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

No. 3 Notre Dame hits the road Saturday for a Week 5 matchup against North Carolina at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill.

The Fighting Irish enter the game undefeated at 4-0 after opening the season with wins over Wisconsin, Rice, Michigan State and Purdue. Notre Dame has outscored those four opponents by a combined 136 points. North Carolina is 2-1 after falling to Clemson 28-20 last week.

The matchup is Notre Dame’s first against North Carolina since 2022, when the Irish won 45-32 in Chapel Hill. Saturday’s game also marks a major test for the Tar Heels against one of the nation’s highest-ranked teams.

Notre Dame vs. North Carolina TV Channel and Free Live Stream Options

North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline.

Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Game: No. 3 Notre Dame at North Carolina
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Time: Noon ET
Venue: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV: ESPN
Free live stream options: Fubo and DIRECTV free trials for eligible new subscribers

ESPN has the national broadcast, with Wes Durham, Dusty Dvoracek and Taylor McGregor on the call. The game is also being simulcast on Disney+.

Fans without cable can use an eligible Fubo or DIRECTV free trial to watch ESPN without paying upfront. Current Saturday viewing guides list five-day free trials for new customers on both services.

Notre Dame vs North Carolina Overview

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards with nine touchdowns this season while completing 70% of his passes. The Irish have also produced a +136 scoring margin through four games.

North Carolina will look to Benjamin Hall to help control the game on the ground. Hall enters the matchup with more than 200 rushing yards this season after the Tar Heels’ loss to Clemson last week.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET, although UNC’s official gameday guide lists the in-stadium kickoff at 12:07 p.m. ET. ESPN’s listed broadcast window begins at noon.