A revived rivalry
The University of Notre Dame and the University of Southern California have confirmed a four‑game football showdown that will run from 2030 through 2033, rekindling a rivalry that has defined college football for nearly a century.
The series will open with a trip to Los Angeles on August 31, 2030, where the Trojans will host the Fighting Irish, followed by a return engagement in South Bend on August 30, 2031. The final two contests are slated for the opening weeks of the 2032 and 2033 seasons, ensuring that the matchups remain a marquee event early in the college football calendar.
Dubbed the Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh, the rivalry first sparked in 1926 and has since produced a cascade of memorable moments, including multiple national championships and a dozen Heisman Trophy winners. The competition was interrupted only by World War II and the 2020 pandemic, underscoring its resilience.
Beyond the pageantry, the two programs together boast 24 national titles and 15 Heisman awards, while their combined draft history exceeds 1,000 NFL selections — the most of any college pairing. Notre Dame currently leads the all‑time series 53‑38‑5, a testament to the enduring competitiveness of the matchup.
What’s next for the rivalry?
As the universities finalize logistics and ticketing, the anticipation builds across campuses and among alumni. The upcoming games are poised to become a modern classic, blending historic prestige with the energy of a new generation of players and supporters.