The first FBS game in South America never happened. Two months after NC State and Virginia played their Week 0 game in Charlottesville instead of Rio de Janeiro, the money tied to the Brazil plan still has not moved.
NC State is owed a $1.5 million cancellation fee by the promoter, Athlete Advantage, under its contract, with payment due within 30 days of the cancellation decision, the Raleigh News & Observer reported Wednesday. An NC State football spokesperson told WRAL that the fee had not been paid as of late September.
Fans Who Bought College Football Brasil Packages
Fans who bought tickets and travel through the College Football Brasil site were told refunds would take six to eight weeks. The company's latest message says it "cannot yet confirm a refund date," according to WRAL's investigation. WRAL spoke with one fan out $4,945 for a package and another out roughly $8,000 including airfare. The company has blamed delays on recovering deposits from its international partners and on legal requirements tied to the arrangement.
NC State does not know how many fans bought packages. The school said it will keep pressing Athlete Advantage and urged fans to file claims with the North Carolina Department of Justice's consumer protection division.
How the NC State-Virginia Game Left Rio
The game was announced Dec. 1, 2025, for Estádio Nilton Santos. On June 3 the schools said it would not be played in Brazil, and Virginia won 34-8 at Scott Stadium on Aug. 29. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said in July that there was serious doubt by May that the host city could pull it off.
Virginia's side is murkier. UVA declined to answer the N&O's questions about any contract with Athlete Advantage. The promoter told WRAL its Kentucky entity was closed because two companies were not needed, and that its Delaware company remains in good standing.
For schools weighing overseas games, the lesson is in the contract: a guaranteed fee is only as good as the company paying it. More college football coverage is on the BallerTube college football page.
