Rivalry Renewed
After a hiatus that stretched through pandemic disruptions and realignment shifts, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Southern California announced a four‑game series set to begin in 2030. The agreement restores a rivalry that once defined college football, pitting two of the sport’s most storied programs against each other in a carefully scheduled home‑and‑home format.
The first clash will take place on August 31, 2030, at the iconic Coliseum in Los Angeles, where USC will host Notre Dame for a primetime showdown. A year later, on August 30, 2031, the teams will meet again in South Bend, Indiana, at Notre Dame’s historic stadium, continuing the alternating‑venue tradition.
A Storied Past
The rivalry dates back to 1946, when the two schools met annually for nearly eight decades. Their contests produced a cascade of championships, with combined wins totaling 22 national titles and 15 Heisman Trophy winners. Notre Dame currently leads the series 53‑38‑5, underscoring the competitive balance that has persisted across generations.
At the heart of the competition lies the Jeweled Shillelagh Trophy, introduced in 1952. Victories are marked by a green shamrock for Notre Dame and a ruby‑studded Trojan head for USC, symbolizing each school’s unique identity while honoring the shared heritage of the matchup.
Future Matchups
Beyond the opening two games, the series will extend through 2032 and 2033, with the remaining contests scheduled for the early part of each season. This timing aims to minimize conflicts with conference play while preserving the excitement of non‑conference marquee matchups.
The revival comes after Indiana University canceled its own home‑and‑home series with Notre Dame, clearing the path for the USC‑Notre Dame arrangement. Indiana’s recent breakthrough — capturing its first Big Ten title and national championship — added momentum to the scheduling shuffle, illustrating how conference realignments can reshape traditional rivalries.