Notre Dame football fans, mark your calendars for 2026—it’s shaping up to be a season you won’t want to miss. NBC Sports and Peacock have just unveiled the Fighting Irish’s slate of seven games, and it’s packed with marquee matchups, historic venues, and renewed rivalries.
Headlining the schedule is a trip to Lambeau Field, where Notre Dame will face the Wisconsin Badgers on Sunday, September 6. This marks the Irish’s first-ever game at the iconic home of the Green Bay Packers—a venue named after Curly Lambeau, a former Notre Dame player and Pro Football Hall of Famer. It’s the perfect setting for the 2026 Shamrock Series, and you can bet the atmosphere will be electric.
From there, the Irish return to Notre Dame Stadium for back-to-back home games. On Saturday, September 12, they host Rice, followed by a clash with Michigan State on September 19. That matchup reignites one of college football’s oldest rivalries, dating back to 1897. The two teams played nearly every year from 1959 to 2013, and Notre Dame holds a commanding 49-29-1 edge in the series—plus the Megaphone Trophy since their last win in 2017.
Another storied rivalry continues on Saturday, October 10, when Stanford visits South Bend. Aside from the COVID-shortened 2020 season, these two have met annually since 1997. The Irish lead the series 25-14 and are riding a three-game winning streak against the Cardinal.
The ACC portion of the schedule heats up in November with three straight home games. First up is Miami on Saturday, November 7—a crucial rematch after the Hurricanes handed Notre Dame a 27-24 loss in the 2025 opener. Then comes Boston College on November 14, followed by SMU on November 21. Every game will be available on both NBC and Peacock.
All of this comes under the leadership of sixth-year head coach Marcus Freeman and quarterback CJ Carr. After a rocky start in 2025—losing their first two games—the Irish rallied to win their final 10 contests, narrowly missing the College Football Playoff. In 2026, they’ll be hungry to prove they belong on the biggest stage.
Whether you’re gearing up for Lambeau or cheering from the stands at Notre Dame Stadium, this schedule has everything a fan could ask for: history, rivalry, and high stakes. Get your gear ready—it’s going to be a season to remember.