If you’re waking up on this Sunday, January 18, 2026, and wondering is there a Notre Dame football game today, the short answer is no. You won't see the gold helmets taking the field this afternoon.
It’s actually a bit of a quiet period for the gridiron, though the campus is anything but still. While the football team isn't playing, there is a massive matchup happening for the Irish in another sport. No. 23 Notre Dame Women’s Basketball is taking on No. 1 UConn today. If you need a competitive fix, that’s where the energy is.
But for football? The pads are off. The regular season ended back in November, and the postseason dust has mostly settled.
Where the Fighting Irish Stand Right Now
The 2025 season was a wild ride. Marcus Freeman’s squad finished with a strong 10-2 record. Honestly, that kind of performance usually has fans booking flights for late January games, but the way the College Football Playoff (CFP) bracket shook out this year was brutal.
Despite the double-digit wins, Notre Dame isn't in the mix for the National Championship game tomorrow night. That spotlight belongs to No. 1 Indiana and No. 10 Miami. It’s a weird feeling for Irish fans, especially since they opened the season back in August against that very same Miami team.
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The Irish had some high highs—like that 70-7 blowout of Syracuse—but a few razor-thin losses, including a heartbreaking 41-40 defeat against Texas A&M, kept them just outside the top tier when the committee made their final calls.
Today's Schedule in South Bend
While you won't find a football game on the dial, here is what is actually happening in the world of Notre Dame athletics today:
- Women's Basketball: Renewing the legendary rivalry against UConn. This is the big one for today.
- Hockey: Coming off a tough series against Penn State.
- Track and Field: The team just wrapped up the Simmons-Harvey Invitational.
Basically, the school is in full "winter sports" mode. The football players are mostly focused on the weight room, spring ball prep, and for some, the NFL Draft cycle.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Notre Dame Football Schedule
Since you're asking is there a Notre Dame football game today, you're probably already itching for the next kickoff. We actually have a good look at what the 2026 campaign is going to look like. It’s shaping up to be one of the most travel-heavy and unique schedules we’ve seen in years.
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The Irish will officially start the 2026 season on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
They aren't starting at home, either. They’re heading to Lambeau Field in Green Bay to face the Wisconsin Badgers for a Shamrock Series game. If you’ve never been to Lambeau, that’s the one to circle on your calendar.
Key Matchups for 2026
- Rice (Sept 12): The home opener at Notre Dame Stadium.
- Michigan State (Sept 19): A classic regional rivalry returns to South Bend.
- Purdue (Sept 26): The battle for the Shillelagh Trophy continues in West Lafayette.
- Navy (Oct 31): This one is moving to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, home of the Patriots.
- USC (TBA): There’s a lot of chatter about this being a neutral-site game this time around, possibly in Las Vegas.
Why the Postseason Looked Different This Year
A lot of people are confused about why a 10-win Notre Dame team isn't playing in mid-January. With the expanded 12-team playoff, the path should be easier, right? Sorta.
The reality of being an Independent is that the Irish can’t get a first-round bye. They have to be in the top 12 to get in, and this year, the committee favored several SEC and Big Ten teams with similar records but arguably "tougher" schedules. It’s a point of contention every single year in South Bend.
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The 2025-26 CFP features teams like James Madison and Tulane, which shows how much the landscape has shifted. If Notre Dame had flipped that one-point loss to Texas A&M into a win, we would likely be talking about a game they played just a week or two ago.
Actionable Steps for Irish Fans Today
Since there's no game to watch, here is how you can stay plugged in:
- Check the Basketball Score: Tune in to see if the Irish can pull off the upset against No. 1 UConn. It’s a measuring stick game for the program.
- Review the 2026 Schedule: Start looking at tickets for the Lambeau Field opener. Those are going to disappear fast once they hit the secondary market.
- Follow Transfer Portal News: This is the time of year when the roster for next season is actually built. Keep an eye on the "Fighting Irish" social media accounts for new additions to the 2026 roster.
- Spring Game Prep: Keep an eye out for the announcement of the Blue-Gold Game date. It’s usually in April and is the first chance to see the new-look squad.
There is no Notre Dame football game today, but the road to the 2026 season-opener in Green Bay has already begun.