If you’ve been keeping an eye on the South Bend weather, you know it’s that mid-January stretch where the wind off the lake starts to bite. But inside the gyms and rinks, things are actually heating up for the Irish. Whether you’re looking for the bounce-back basketball game or a gritty hockey series on the road, the schedule is packed for the week of January 17, 2026.
Honestly, it’s a weird time for the fan base. Football is in that quiet-but-loud period of transfer portal news and 2026 scheduling drama, while the winter sports are right in the thick of conference play.
Notre Dame Basketball: A Heavy Week on the Road
The men’s basketball team is basically living out of a suitcase right now. After a tough loss to Miami earlier in the week, they are desperate to find some rhythm in the ACC.
Saturday, Jan 17: Notre Dame at Virginia Tech
The Irish head into Blacksburg to face the Hokies at Cassell Coliseum. This is a noon ET tip-off on the ACC Network. If you’ve ever watched a game at Virginia Tech, you know that place gets loud, and the Irish (currently sitting at 10-7) are coming in as 5.5-point underdogs. They need a win to stop a three-game skid.
Wednesday, Jan 21: Notre Dame at North Carolina
It doesn't get any easier. The team travels to Chapel Hill to face the Tar Heels at the Dean E. Smith Center. You can catch this one at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2. Playing at UNC is always a measuring stick, and for a team trying to climb out of the bottom half of the ACC standings, it’s a massive opportunity to make a statement.
Saturday, Jan 24: Boston College at Notre Dame
Finally, some home cooking. The Irish return to Purcell Pavilion to host Boston College at 6:00 PM ET. This game will be back on the ACC Network.
Women’s Basketball: The Big UConn Showdown
While the men are fighting for a .500 record in the conference, the women’s team is navigating a gauntlet of ranked opponents.
Monday, Jan 19: Notre Dame at UConn
This is the one everyone has circled. The rivalry with UConn is legendary, and this year’s installment takes place at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs. Tip-off is set for 5:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on FOX. It’s a holiday Monday (MLK Day), so expect a raucous atmosphere.
Thursday, Jan 22: Miami at Notre Dame
After the trip to Connecticut, the Irish return to South Bend to host Miami. This game starts at 6:00 PM ET. You can watch it on the ACC Network. The Irish are coming off a split week where they beat North Carolina but fell to a very tough Louisville squad, so keeping the home-court advantage against the Hurricanes is vital for their tournament seeding.
Notre Dame Hockey: Big Ten Battles
The ice hasn’t been kind to the Irish lately. After a frustrating weekend at Michigan, the team is looking to claw back into the Big Ten conversation.
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- Saturday, Jan 17: The Irish finish their two-game road series against Penn State at Pegula Ice Arena. The puck drops at 8:00 PM ET. You’ll want to check the local radio listings or the Big Ten+ stream for this one.
- Friday, Jan 23 & Saturday, Jan 24: Notre Dame returns home to the Compton Family Ice Arena to face Ohio State. These are pivotal games for conference points. Friday’s game is at 7:00 PM ET, and Saturday’s follows at 5:00 PM ET. Both games are scheduled to stream on Peacock.
What’s the Word on Notre Dame Football?
You probably saw the news making the rounds this week about the 2026 schedule. It’s a bit of a bittersweet moment for traditionalists. Notre Dame announced a two-game series with BYU for 2026 and 2027, which is cool, but it basically confirms that the annual rivalry with USC is on life support.
With USC’s move to the Big Ten and the travel demands that come with it, they’ve been pushing to move the Notre Dame game to earlier in the season. The Irish want to keep it in its traditional November/October slots. For now, 2026 looks like it might be the first time in a long time (outside of the 2020 mess) that we don't see the Irish and Trojans meet in their usual window.
Other Sports to Watch This Week
If you’re a total "all-sports" nut, there are a few other dates to keep on your radar:
- Fencing: The team is out in Queens and Jamaica, NY, this weekend (Jan 17-18) for the St. John’s Super Cup and Invitational.
- Track and Field: They are competing at the Simmons-Harvey Invite in Ann Arbor on Saturday.
- Tennis: The women host Western Michigan and Duquesne in a Sunday doubleheader (Jan 18) at the Eck Tennis Pavilion.
Actionable Tips for Following the Irish
If you're planning to watch or attend any of these matchups, here is how to stay ahead of the game:
- Download the Fighting Irish App: It's honestly the most reliable way to get live stats, especially for hockey and the "non-major" sports where TV coverage can be spotty.
- Check the Secondary Markets: If you’re looking for tickets for the Miami women’s game on Thursday, prices are surprisingly low right now—some seats are hovering around $8 on apps like SeatGeek.
- Sync Your Calendar: With the basketball games jumping between ACC Network, ESPN2, and FOX this week, it's easy to miss a tip-off. Double-check your local listings if you're still using cable, as the "ACCNX" digital-only games require a separate login through the ESPN app.
The season is in a volatile spot. One win against a team like UConn or North Carolina can change the entire narrative of the winter. Keep your eyes on the schedule, and maybe keep a jacket handy if you’re heading to the Compton this weekend.
For those tracking the football schedule for next fall, the season opener is officially set: September 6, 2026, against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. It’s a long way off, but the planning starts now.