BYU, Notre Dame Set for Home-and-Home Series in 2026 and 2027
It’s official: two of college football’s most tradition-rich programs are set to renew their rivalry. BYU and Notre Dame have agreed to a home-and-home series that will bring the Fighting Irish to Provo in 2026, followed by a return trip for the Cougars to South Bend in 2027.
This is a matchup that carries weight-not just because of the names on the jerseys, but because of the shared values and history between the two programs. Both are private, faith-based institutions with strong national followings, and when they meet on the field, it tends to mean something a little extra.
“We are excited to announce this home-and-home series between BYU and Notre Dame for the 2026 and 2027 seasons,” said BYU Director of Athletics Brian Santiago. “We have tremendous respect for Notre Dame, and appreciate Director of Athletics Pete Bevacqua, who has been great to work with in arranging this series. These will be competitive football games, and will highlight Kalani Sitake and Marcus Freeman, two of the best leaders and coaches in college football.”
Notre Dame’s visit to LaVell Edwards Stadium in 2026 will mark its third trip to Provo and first since 2004. That year, BYU pulled off a 20-17 win to open the season. The 2027 return leg in South Bend will be the first time the Cougars have played at Notre Dame Stadium since 2013, and the seventh meeting all-time in that iconic venue.
Historically, the Irish have had the upper hand in this series, holding a 7-2 record over the Cougars. The most recent clash came in 2022 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, part of Notre Dame’s Shamrock Series.
The Irish came away with a 28-20 win in a game that was close throughout. BYU’s two wins in the series came in 1994-when Kalani Sitake was a freshman-and in that 2004 Provo matchup.
In Provo, the series is even at 1-1. In South Bend, Notre Dame has dominated, going 5-1.
The lone neutral-site game went the Irish’s way as well. That cold 2013 showdown in South Bend stands out-BYU rushed for 247 yards behind Taysom Hill and kept it close into the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell 23-13 in snowy conditions.
With this series now on the books, BYU has finalized its schedules for both the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The Cougars will play seven home games in 2026, including Big 12 matchups against Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Cincinnati, and Iowa State.
Nonconference games that year include Utah Tech and the marquee home date with Notre Dame. On the road, BYU will face Colorado State outside of conference play, and travel to Kansas, TCU, UCF, and in-state rival Utah in Big 12 action.
In 2027, BYU will host Big 12 opponents Colorado, Kansas, Texas Tech, and Utah, along with nonconference games against Oregon State and Weber State. Road trips will include Arizona State, Houston, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and West Virginia, plus the highly anticipated visit to Notre Dame.
Kickoff times and TV details for all games will be announced down the line, but one thing’s clear: BYU’s future schedules are loaded with compelling matchups. And with Notre Dame back on the slate, fans from both programs have plenty to look forward to.