So, you’re looking for the game time. Whether you’re standing in the middle of a tailgate or just trying to figure out when to order the pizza, the question of what time does Notre Dame play is basically a weekly ritual for anyone with even a passing interest in the Irish.
Today is Thursday, January 15, 2026. If you're looking for the football team, you’re about a month and a half too late for the regular season, but the basketball court is currently on fire.
The Notre Dame women’s basketball team is actually taking the floor tonight. They are hosting Louisville at the Purcell Pavilion. Tip-off is set for 6:00 PM ET. If you’re planning on watching, make sure your stream is ready by 5:55 because these ACC matchups tend to start with a lot of energy right out of the gate.
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When the Irish Take the Floor: Basketball Season Details
The men’s and women’s schedules are currently in the thick of ACC play. It’s that January grind.
For the women’s team, tonight’s 6:00 PM game against Louisville is a big one. They’ve been playing well lately, coming off a solid win against North Carolina where they held the Tar Heels to just 50 points. If you missed that, you missed a defensive masterclass. After tonight, they’ve got a massive road trip coming up to face UConn on January 19th. That one is scheduled for 5:00 PM ET.
On the men’s side, things have been a bit tougher. They just dropped a home game to Miami a couple of days ago. They aren't playing tonight, but they hit the road this weekend. They play Virginia Tech on Saturday, January 17th. That game has an early start—12:00 PM ET. Perfect for a lunchtime watch party, or a very late breakfast if you’re on the West Coast.
Upcoming Men's Basketball Games
- Saturday, Jan 17: At Virginia Tech, 12:00 PM ET.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: At North Carolina, 7:00 PM ET.
- Saturday, Jan 24: Home vs Boston College, 6:00 PM ET.
The 7:00 PM slot for the UNC game is going to be a tough environment. Dean Dome is never easy. Honestly, the way the Irish have struggled with consistency this year, every road game feels like a mountain. But that’s college hoops.
What Time Does Notre Dame Play Football?
I get it. For most people, "Notre Dame" equals "Football."
Right now, we are in the offseason. The 2025 season wrapped up with a decent run, including some big wins over teams like Texas A&M and USC. But if you’re asking what time does Notre Dame play because you’re trying to plan your life for the fall of 2026, we actually have a good idea of what that looks like already.
The 2026 season opener is going to be legendary. Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 6, 2026. The Irish are heading to Lambeau Field in Green Bay to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. This is part of the Shamrock Series. While the exact kickoff time hasn't been narrowed down to the minute by NBC yet, it’s almost certainly going to be a primetime national broadcast. Think 7:30 PM or 8:00 PM ET.
2026 Football Schedule Highlights
The schedule is still "tentative" in parts because the ACC is still moving pieces around after their latest expansion, but here’s what we know:
- Sept 6: vs Wisconsin (Green Bay).
- Sept 12: Rice (Home Opener).
- Sept 19: Michigan State.
- Oct 31: vs Navy at Gillette Stadium.
The Navy game in Foxborough is always a bucket-list item for fans. That game is currently listed for October 31st. A Halloween matchup in a pro stadium? Yeah, that’s going to be a circus in the best way possible.
How to Find Exact Times Every Week
TV networks are the ones who really decide when these games happen. They usually operate on a 12-day or 6-day window.
If you are looking for a game time three weeks from now, you might just see "TBA." That’s because ESPN, NBC, and the ACC Network are fighting over who gets the best viewership slots. For football, NBC owns the home games, so those times are usually more predictable—often 2:30 PM or 7:30 PM ET.
For basketball, "The CW" has actually picked up a lot of ACC games lately. It sounds weird, but check your local listings. You’d be surprised how many Irish games are ending up there or on the ACC Network Extra (ACCNX) which usually requires the ESPN app.
Quick Checklist for Fans
- Check the Time Zone: South Bend is on Eastern Time. Always double-check if you’re traveling.
- Gate Times: For home games at Purcell Pavilion or Notre Dame Stadium, gates usually open 60 to 90 minutes before tip-off/kickoff.
- The App: The "Fighting Irish" app is surprisingly decent for real-time schedule changes.
If you're looking to watch the women's team tonight, get to the TV by 6:00 PM. If you're waiting for the men, you've got until Saturday at noon.
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To stay ahead of the curve, sync your digital calendar with the official Notre Dame Athletics schedule. This automatically updates whenever a "TBA" slot gets assigned a specific time by the networks. This is the most reliable way to ensure you never miss a kickoff or tip-off due to a last-minute television flex. Reach out to the ticket office directly if you are planning a trip to South Bend, as they can provide the most current information on "Game Day" stadium events that happen hours before the actual start time.