The 2026 football season at the University of Notre Dame is shaping up to be one of the most demanding in recent memory, with a schedule that pits the Fighting Irish against a string of top‑25 opponents from the outset.
Opening battle at Lambeau Field
The campaign kicks off on September 6 when Notre Dame travels to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to face the University of Wisconsin at the iconic Lambeau Field, a venue that adds a historic backdrop to the first test of the year.
Just a week later, the Irish return home to South Bend to host Rice University on September 12, followed by a September 19 showdown with Michigan State at Notre Dame Stadium, setting a competitive tone for the early stretch.
Road trips and rivalry games
The team will then embark on a series of away games that take them to West Lafayette, Indiana, for a matchup at Purdue’s Ross‑Ade Stadium on September 26, and to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where they will test their mettle at Kenan Memorial Stadium on October 3 against the Tar Heels.
Later in October, the Irish will host Stanford at home on October 10 before heading to Provo, Utah, to meet BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, a venue known for its passionate crowd.
Late‑season home fixtures
November brings a cluster of home games, including a highly anticipated clash with Navy on October 31 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, followed by contests against Miami on November 7, Boston College on November 14, and SMU on November 21, each offering a chance to climb the rankings.
The season concludes with a trip to Syracuse, New York, where the Irish will play at the JMA Wireless Dome on November 28, rounding out a schedule that blends tradition with new challenges.
Under the guidance of head coach Marcus Freeman, the squad enters the campaign with a sense of optimism that a strong performance could propel them back into the College Football Playoff conversation.