Villanova and Notre Dame are on the verge of tipping off the 2026-27 college basketball season in a way no one saw coming - with a historic doubleheader in Rome.
Yes, that Rome.
According to sources, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams from these two storied Catholic universities have received special clearance from the NCAA to open their seasons a day early - on Sunday, Nov. 1 - with a rare overseas showdown. While the official start of the college basketball season is set for Monday, Nov. 2, the NCAA quietly granted a waiver in January to allow this unique event to take place a day ahead of schedule.
And the motivation behind it? None other than Pope Leo XIV.
This event is more than just a basketball game - it's a cultural and spiritual celebration. Villanova and Notre Dame, both prominent Catholic institutions, have deep ties to the Vatican and the Pope himself.
Villanova’s connection is especially personal: Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, is a 1977 graduate of the school. Notre Dame, meanwhile, is widely considered the most globally recognized Catholic university, with a major academic presence in Rome and a massive international following.
The Pope, a known sports enthusiast who grew up in Chicago - a city with a strong Notre Dame fanbase due to its proximity to South Bend - brings a unique layer of intrigue to the event. While it’s still unclear whether he’ll attend or participate in any official capacity, both schools have been in contact with Vatican officials in recent months. Notre Dame’s president met privately with the Pope in November, and Villanova representatives attended his inaugural mass last May.
On the court, this matchup has plenty of firepower. Notre Dame’s women’s program is one of the most respected in the nation, boasting two national championships and nine Final Four appearances.
Head coach Niele Ivey has led the program since 2020, continuing the legacy of excellence in South Bend. Villanova’s men’s team, meanwhile, has three national titles and seven Final Four trips to its name, most recently reaching the national semifinals in 2022.
Kevin Willard now leads the Wildcats as they look to build on that rich tradition.
The doubleheader is set to take place at the Palazzetto dello Sport - better known as the PalaTiziano - a 3,500-seat arena in Rome with deep Olympic roots. Originally built ahead of the 1960 Summer Games, the venue recently underwent a five-year renovation and sits just a short drive from Vatican City. It’s a fitting stage for a basketball event that blends faith, tradition, and international flair.
Broadcast plans are already in motion. Fox is expected to carry both games, with the men’s matchup airing in the U.S. during Sunday morning hours - a unique breakfast-time tipoff for fans stateside - leading directly into NFL coverage. The women’s game is slated for Fox Sports 1 later in the day.
While women’s college basketball has made international headlines before - Duke and Baylor opened the previous season in Paris - this event marks a first for men’s Division I hoops. It will be the first time a regular-season opener is played on foreign soil, and the first time a Division I basketball game is held in Italy.
But make no mistake: this trip isn’t just about basketball. Both schools are planning to turn the experience into a broader educational opportunity, immersing their student-athletes in the rich history and culture of Rome. For two Catholic universities with global reach and proud basketball traditions, it’s a chance to showcase their values and talent on a world stage.
If everything goes according to plan, Nov. 1 in Rome won’t just be the start of a new season - it’ll be a moment that blends sport, spirit, and spectacle in a way college basketball has never seen before.