If you’ve ever stood in the house that Rockne built, you know the feeling. The air gets thick. 80,000 people start vibrating. Then, it happens. A wall of sound hits you, and suddenly, everyone is screaming at the top of their lungs. But if you ask a casual fan what the notre dame kick off song actually is, they’ll probably just say "the fight song."
They’re wrong. Sorta.
It’s actually a choreographed sequence of sounds that has changed over the decades. It is a mix of century-old marches and modern stadium "hype" tracks. Most people think the "Victory March" is the only thing that matters, but if you’re actually there for the opening kick, there’s a whole different ritual going on.
The Confusion Around the Notre Dame Kick Off Song
When the ball is teed up and the kicker starts his approach, the band doesn’t just play the fight song on loop. That would be boring. Instead, the real "kickoff" energy comes from the Celtic Chant.
Composed by the current band director, Ken Dye, the Celtic Chant is that rhythmic, heavy-percussion piece that makes everyone do the "arms-up-and-down" motion. It’s meant to build tension. It’s tribal. It’s the sound of a looming hit. Honestly, it’s one of the few things in South Bend that feels both ancient and modern at the same time.
Then there is the "Victory March" itself. It is the most famous fight song in the country, period. Written in 1908 by the Shea brothers, it wasn't even played at a game until ten years later. Now? It’s the heartbeat of the stadium. But here is a detail most people miss: the lyrics changed recently. In 2022, the university officially updated the words to include "sons and daughters" instead of just "sons."
Some old-school fans grumbled. Most people didn't even notice because they were too busy shouting the "Cheer, cheer for Old Notre Dame" part.
Why the Music Changes Every Few Years
You might notice that the stadium speakers sometimes blast something that definitely wasn't written by a priest in 1908. That's because the "kickoff song" experience is a battle between tradition and the need to keep 20-year-old recruits excited.
For the 2025-26 season, ESPN actually tapped mgk (Machine Gun Kelly) for their college football anthem "dont wait run fast." You’ll hear that on the broadcasts constantly. But inside the stadium? The Irish lean on a mix of:
- Hike, Notre Dame: An old-school Casasanta classic.
- Damsha Bua: Also known as the Victory Clog.
- Here Come the Irish: The John Scully song that usually plays during the pre-game tunnel run.
It’s a weird tension. You have the "Victory March" which is basically sacred music, and then you have the student section wanting to hear "Mr. Brightside" or some heavy bass drops. Somehow, in South Bend, it works.
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What Really Happens During Kickoff
If you're heading to a game, don't just wait for the whistle. The music starts hours before. The Trumpets Under the Dome at 4:00 PM on Fridays is where the real chills happen. They play "Notre Dame, Our Mother"—the alma mater—and it sounds like the building itself is singing.
When the team finally walks from the Gug to the stadium, led by the bagpipes, that’s when the "kickoff" vibe really starts. The bagpipes are a massive part of the identity here. They aren't the notre dame kick off song in a literal sense, but they are the signal that the "Victory March" is coming.
Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think "Rudy" or the music from the movie is the official song. It’s not. While the Jerry Goldsmith score is iconic and gets played over the highlights, the actual Band of the Fighting Irish sticks to their repertoire.
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Another thing? The "kickoff" isn't just one song. It’s a sequence.
- The "Celtic Chant" builds the rhythm as the kicker waits.
- The crowd noise peaks.
- Once the ball is in the air, the band immediately transitions into the "Victory March."
It’s a handoff. One creates the tension, the other releases it.
How to Experience it Right
If you want to actually "hear" the tradition, you have to stay until the very end. Win or lose, the team stands in front of the student section and sings the Alma Mater. Everyone sways. It’s the flip side of the aggressive energy of the kickoff.
To get the most out of the gameday atmosphere, make sure you:
- Get to the steps of Bond Hall 90 minutes before kickoff for the band concert.
- Follow the band during the "March Out" to the stadium.
- Pay attention to the drumline during the Midnight Drummers Circle the night before—it's the best hidden gem on campus.
The music isn't just background noise in South Bend; it’s the script for the entire weekend. Whether it's the 114-year-old march or a modern hype track, it all serves one purpose: making sure the "echoes" actually wake up.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the official Notre Dame Gameday website for specific "Step-Off" times, as these change depending on whether it's a noon or night kickoff. If you're looking to download the tracks, the "Fight Songs of Notre Dame" album by the Band of the Fighting Irish includes the definitive versions of the Celtic Chant and the Victory March.