Notre Dame’s uniforms are about to get a new look.
For the first time, the Fighting Irish will wear a jersey patch in 2026, and it will feature SoFi. The deal, announced on July 28, gives one of college football’s most recognizable brands a major new sponsorship presence while bringing Notre Dame a sizable financial lift.
The patch will sit near the left shoulder, and it comes with more than just a logo. According to the school, the partnership is tied to an annual fund built around Notre Dame’s “4 for Forever” promise.
“SoFi and Notre Dame Athletics are collaborating to help the next generation of Notre Dame student-athletes build the foundation for long-term financial success,” the school said in a press release, explaining that the partnership will "establish an annual fund to further Notre Dame’s '4 for Forever' promise, which will support all Notre Dame student-athletes through scholarships, financial education, career development and exclusive opportunities."
SoFi is a digital financial services platform and lender. Its business includes loan products, checking and savings accounts, and a credit card.
The company also already has its name on SoFi Stadium, home of the Rams and Chargers, and that venue is set to host its second Super Bowl in February. Super Bowl 61 will only add more attention to the brand in the months ahead.
Notre Dame did not reveal the dollar figure of the agreement, but ESPN reported the deal is worth between $18 million and $20 million annually over six years. That puts the total value at well over $100 million.
The number matters because jersey sponsorship money in college sports has quickly become a serious business. Ohio State reached a reported $17 million-per-year agreement with JPMorganChase this summer to sponsor all of its jerseys across 36 sports. Illinois, meanwhile, landed a deal with Busey Bank worth $6 million annually.
For now, $20 million looks like the top end of the market for a college jersey patch. Notre Dame is simply the latest school to cash in.
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