On Sunday, September 6, the Wisconsin Badgers will step onto the historic turf of Lambeau Field to face No. 4 Notre Dame in a highly anticipated Week 1 college football showdown.
A Clash of Titans at the Iconic Lambeau Field
Coach Luke Fickell, who took the Badgers’ reins last season, enters the 2026 campaign as a heavy underdog, yet he sees the game as a crucial platform to demonstrate the program’s upward trajectory after a challenging year.
The Badgers, still riding the momentum from a 2021 victory over No. 5 LSU at this very stadium, hope to recapture that spark and launch a season that could culminate in a New Year’s Six bowl appearance, while the Fighting Irish, bolstered by a roster many deem the nation’s deepest, carry a chip on their shoulder after being left out of the College Football Playoff despite a 10‑2 record.
Notre Dame leads the all‑time series 9‑6‑2, and their most recent encounter ended in a 41‑13 defeat for Wisconsin at Soldier Field in 2021, a result that fuels the Irish’s desire to reassert dominance.
Broadcast coverage will be provided by NBC, with analysts Dan Hicks and Jason Garrett dissecting the action, while streaming fans can tune in on Peacock; radio listeners will follow the game on the Badger Sports Radio Network, where Matt Lepay and Mark Tauscher will offer commentary.
Betting markets at FanDuel list Notre Dame as a 20.5‑point favorite with an over/under set at 46.5 points, underscoring the disparity in perceived strength between the two programs.