November 3, 2026 | Football
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois and Notre Dame will meet on the football field for the first time in 59 years, the two programs announced Tuesday. The Illini and Irish will play in South Bend on Sept. 4, 2027 before meeting in Champaign on Sept. 2, 2028.
"This is a series I have wanted to get on the football schedule since I arrived in 2016," said Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman. "It has been too long since these two tradition-rich programs have met, given our proximity, common values, and deep roots in Chicago and throughout the Midwest. We expect to see a lot of Orange and Blue next year in South Bend and believe the 2028 matchup in Champaign will be one of our most anticipated home games in decades. Thank you to Notre Dame, Pete Bevacqua, Ron Powlus, and Coach Freeman for helping to make this exciting series a reality."
Illini fans are encouraged to join the I FUND for access to request away game tickets, including next year's game in South Bend. Illinois' ticket allotment for away games is prioritized by I FUND membership level/priority point total.
After selling out of season tickets each of the last two seasons, Illinois has launched its 2027 season ticket waiting list. Fans looking for the best chance at purchasing new 2027 season tickets need to join the I FUND to secure the best possible place in line. The only way for fans to guarantee 2028 season tickets, which include the Notre Dame game in Champaign, is to purchase 2027 season tickets.
Illinois and Notre Dame have met 12 times, last competing on the gridiron at Notre Dame Stadium in 1968 as part of a two-year home-and-home. Nine of the matchups in the all-time series came during a 10-year stretch from 1937-1946 after the two teams first played in 1898.
The Notre Dame series replaces Missouri on Illinois' 2027 and 2028 schedules.
In addition to the Notre Dame game, Illinois has added FIU to the schedule on Aug. 28, 2027. The Illini will no longer play Eastern Illinois in 2027.
Game times and television designations will be announced at a later date.
2027 Illinois Football Opponents
2027 Home Games: FIU (Aug. 28), Delaware (Sept. 11), Indiana, Northwestern, Penn State, UCLA, Wisconsin
2027 Road Games: at Notre Dame (Sept. 4), at Michigan, at Minnesota, at Purdue, at USC
All games subject to change.
