It’s officially time to start planning football Saturdays in South Bend.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football released its official 2026 home kickoff times on Thursday, highlighted by four primetime games at Notre Dame Stadium and a Sunday night season opener at Lambeau Field.
All times listed are Eastern Time.
2026 Notre Dame Kickoff Times Announced
- Sept. 6 vs. Wisconsin Badgers (Shamrock Series at Lambeau Field) — 7:30 p.m.
- Sept. 12 vs. Rice Owls — 3:30 p.m.
- Sept. 19 vs. Michigan State Spartans — 7:30 p.m.
- Oct. 10 vs. Stanford Cardinal — 3:30 p.m.
- Nov. 7 vs. Miami Hurricanes — 7:30 p.m.
- Nov. 21 vs. SMU Mustangs — 7:30 p.m. (Senior Day)
The schedule confirms what many Notre Dame fans hoped for: several major night-game atmospheres in South Bend this fall.
The Irish will play four officially scheduled primetime games, including three under the lights at Notre Dame Stadium against Michigan State, Miami, and SMU. The season opener against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field also carries a 7:30 p.m. kickoff and should create one of the premier environments of the season.
Meanwhile, the home afternoon slate remains traditional, with Rice and Stanford both scheduled for 3:30 p.m. starts.
The Nov. 7 matchup against Miami immediately jumps off the page as one of the marquee home dates of the Freeman era. A night game against the Hurricanes in early November could produce one of the best atmospheres Notre Dame Stadium has seen in years if both programs enter the matchup with playoff momentum as expected.
The regular-season home finale against SMU also carries added significance beyond the standings. The Nov. 21 primetime matchup will serve as Senior Day for the Irish, creating an emotional late-November atmosphere in South Bend under the lights.
Cold weather, postseason implications, and the final home appearance for Notre Dame’s senior class could make the SMU game one of the most memorable nights of the season.
Kickoff times for Notre Dame’s remaining road games will be announced at a later date.