The storied rivalry between the University of Southern California and the University of Notre Dame, two of college football’s most celebrated programs, is set to reignite in 2030 after a multi-year hiatus.
Under the new agreement, the first clash will take place in Los Angeles during Week 1 of the 2030 season, with the teams meeting again a year later at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend for Week 1 of the 2031 schedule.
The arrangement emerged after months of negotiation that began when the rivalry was paused in December 2025 over conflicting proposals for the game’s placement in the calendar. While USC pushed for an earlier slot to accommodate its own scheduling preferences, Notre Dame ultimately favored a later date, leading to a compromise that secures four meetings through 2033.
Historical Context
The series adds to a long-standing competition that has seen Notre Dame hold a 53-38-5 edge over USC. Irish head coach Marcus Freeman enters the renewed matchups with a strong recent record, having defeated the Trojans by double digits in each of their last three encounters, and his team holds an 8-2 advantage over the past ten meetings.
Beyond the renewed Notre Dame series, Notre Dame’s non-conference slate will feature home games against Michigan and Duke in September 2033, a road trip to Florida in September 2032, and a home-and-home arrangement with BYU for 2026 and 2027, while a scheduled home-and-home with Indiana has been cancelled.
Jen Cohen, USC’s director of athletics, emphasized the cultural importance of the rivalry for alumni and fans alike, noting that playing the game early in the season benefits both student-athlete health and the broader Trojan community.