The storied rivalry between Stanford and Notre Dame will continue through the latter part of the decade, with the two programs confirming a pair of future matchups that will see them meet in November 2027 at Stanford’s campus and again in October 2028 in South Bend, Indiana.
The agreement also preserves a traditional early‑season meeting slated for October 10 of the upcoming season, while the Cardinal’s season opener is set for August 29 at home against Hawaii.
Since the series began in 1997, the Fighting Irish have held a 24‑14 edge, including a three‑game winning streak that has seen them outscore Stanford 154‑50 over the past three meetings, a run that was only interrupted by a pandemic‑shortened 2020 season.
Conference realignment and travel considerations
Stanford’s move to the Atlantic Coast Conference has raised questions about the logistical demands of traveling across the country for conference play, a factor that has been part of the discussion surrounding the extended series.
Notre Dame, meanwhile, remains independent in football while competing in the ACC for other sports, a unique status that adds another layer to the scheduling negotiations.
A new era for the Cardinal
Adding to the narrative, new Stanford head coach Tavita Pritchard is entering his second year with the program, hoping to break a streak of five consecutive losing seasons that has plagued the Cardinal in recent memory.
Pritchard’s ambition to end the losing streak is intertwined with the excitement of renewing a historic rivalry, a storyline that promises heightened attention from fans and analysts alike as the 2027 and 2028 matchups approach.