If you’re refreshing your phone asking what is the score of the Notre Dame football game, you’re probably looking at a blank scoreboard. It’s mid-January 2026. Usually, this is when the college football world is on fire with playoff drama. But right now? South Bend is quiet.
There is no score.
The Fighting Irish didn't play today, and they won't be playing next week either. In fact, their 2025-26 season is officially over. It’s a weird, frustrating reality for a team that went 10-2 and looked like a lock for the postseason back in November.
The final score that ended the season
To understand why there isn't a live score today, you have to look back at November 29, 2025. That was the last time Marcus Freeman’s squad took the field. They went into Palo Alto and absolutely dismantled Stanford.
The final score was Notre Dame 49, Stanford 20.
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It was a statement. Or at least, everyone in South Bend thought it was. They finished the regular season with ten straight wins. After a rocky start losing to Miami and Texas A&M early on, the Irish found their rhythm. They were ranked No. 9 in the country. In a 12-team playoff world, No. 9 is supposed to be safe.
Then came Selection Sunday.
The committee did something nobody saw coming. They kept a three-loss Alabama at No. 9 and jumped Miami over the Irish into the No. 10 spot. Notre Dame slid to No. 11. Because they are an Independent and don't play in a conference championship, they watched from the couch as other teams jumped them. When the dust settled, the Irish were the first team out. No. 13.
Why isn't Notre Dame in a bowl game?
This is where it gets spicy. Usually, if you miss the College Football Playoff, you head to a prestigious New Year’s Six bowl or at least a high-tier game like the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
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But this year, the players did something radical.
They voted not to play.
Linebacker Drayk Bowen basically said the team felt like they "got the rug pulled out from under them." They didn't want to play a "consolation prize" game without their full roster, especially with guys eyeing the NFL Draft or the transfer portal. So, instead of a late December or January bowl game score, we got a press release. The season ended in a meeting room, not on a field.
What is the score of the Notre Dame game right now? (Other Irish sports)
While the football team is in the off-season, Purcell Pavilion is hopping. If you saw a "Notre Dame" score today, January 15, 2026, it was likely the Women’s Basketball team.
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They just played a massive Top-25 matchup against Louisville.
- The Score: No. 9 Louisville 79, No. 23 Notre Dame 66.
- The Star: Hannah Hidalgo dropped 24 points, but it wasn't enough to stop the Cardinals' bench.
- The Context: This was the first home loss of the season for the Irish women.
It's a tough night for the South Bend faithful, but that’s the actual "Notre Dame score" you'll find on the wires today.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season
If you're already itching for the next football score, the countdown is on for late August. Marcus Freeman isn't sitting around sulking about the playoff snub. Honestly, the program has been a whirlwind of activity this week.
They just landed Tionne Gray, a massive 336-pound defensive tackle from Oregon, through the transfer portal. They also snagged Keon Keeley and Francis Brewu. It's clear the strategy for 2026 is "size." They want to make sure the committee can’t ignore a 10-2 or 11-1 record ever again.
What to do while you wait for kickoff
- Watch the portal: The winter transfer window is where the 2026 roster is being built right now.
- Follow the NFL Draft: Keep an eye on guys like Boubacar Traore, who recently announced he’s returning to school instead of going pro—huge win for the Irish defense.
- Check the 2026 schedule: It’s already out, and it’s a gauntlet.
The next time you'll see a real Notre Dame football score will be the Blue-Gold Spring Game. Until then, the scoreboard at the House that Rockne Built remains dark.
For fans who need a fix, the focus shifts entirely to recruiting and the hardwood. The sting of being the "first team out" is clearly fueling the front office's aggression in the portal this week. Keep an eye on those defensive line additions; that’s where the 2026 championship run is starting.