Know the rivalries.
Some began with football itself. Others were forged by championships, geography, annual tradition, or one unforgettable afternoon. Learn why these games feel different.
History changes the atmosphere.
A rivalry game carries memories into the stadium before either team takes the field. Start with these five chapters in Notre Dame’s national football story.
Michigan
The opponent in Notre Dame’s first varsity game—and the beginning of the football story.
Penn State
A remarkably even series with two unforgettable postseason-scale finishes.
Miami
A rivalry whose short, explosive peak helped define an era of college football.
USC
The Jeweled Shillelagh, championship consequences, and college football’s great intersectional series.
Navy
Notre Dame’s most frequently played opponent and a relationship larger than the scoreboard.