Notre Dame to Wear Green Jerseys Twice in 2025, Including Historic Game Under the Lights at Notre Dame Stadium in October
In one of college football’s most tradition-rich programs, the sight of Notre Dame taking the field in green jerseys is a spectacle that immediately electrifies fans, evokes memories of iconic moments, and signals a game of elevated significance. The program has long reserved the green jerseys for special occasions, stirring both nostalgia and excitement in the hearts of the Fighting Irish faithful. On Friday afternoon, Notre Dame officially announced when those coveted green jerseys will make their appearances in the 2025 season, and the chosen matchups live up to the moment.
The Fighting Irish will don green twice this fall: first against Stanford on October 11 in a night game at Notre Dame Stadium, and then again in the season finale against USC in Los Angeles on November 29. Both games are steeped in rivalry, tradition, and postseason implications, amplifying the drama and visual spectacle of the green uniforms. The announcement has already ignited conversations across campus and throughout the college football landscape, as fans begin to anticipate two of the most pivotal matchups on the Irish’s schedule.
The October 11 game versus Stanford will be the first time since 2021 that Notre Dame has worn green at home for a night game. Notre Dame officials have hinted at a full-stadium green-out, asking fans to wear green in coordination with the team, creating a unified and intimidating visual for visiting teams. It’s a clear nod to the program’s desire to leverage every bit of atmosphere in its pursuit of a College Football Playoff berth. Head coach Marcus Freeman, entering his fourth season at the helm, has embraced the emotional energy of these moments, often speaking about the importance of the “edge” such occasions give his players.
Historically, Notre Dame has not worn green jerseys regularly, but when they do, it tends to come with high stakes and dramatic results. One of the most famous instances occurred in 1977, when head coach Dan Devine surprised his players by pulling out green jerseys moments before kickoff against USC. The Irish responded by routing the Trojans 49-19 in a performance that is still etched in program lore. The tradition has since carried on sporadically, often as a symbolic statement rather than a regular uniform variation.
The choice of Stanford as the home green game opponent in 2025 makes sense on multiple levels. Though the Cardinal have struggled in recent years, the rivalry remains one of the most enduring in Notre Dame’s independent schedule. Moreover, with Stanford now in the ACC for football, the game has more conference-related resonance. Notre Dame will be looking to secure a statement win on its home turf, and wearing green in primetime sends a message not just to Stanford, but to the entire college football world.
The second green jersey appearance will come in perhaps the most consequential game of the season: the November 29 showdown against USC. The Trojans and Irish share one of the fiercest rivalries in the sport, and the sight of Notre Dame wearing green in the Coliseum is both rare and deliberate. Notre Dame last wore green in Los Angeles during the 2010 game, and even then it was a quiet reveal rather than a full-scale marketing moment. This time, it’s official and strategic.
Notre Dame administrators have confirmed that the decision to go green at USC was made with input from players and coaches. Many on the roster view the green jerseys as more than just a uniform—they see it as an expression of team unity, a nod to tradition, and a psychological edge in big-time matchups. Given that the USC game could have major implications for the College Football Playoff picture, the green jerseys are likely to add emotional fuel to an already heated contest.
The timing of the green jersey announcement also coincides with Notre Dame’s rise in preseason rankings and expectations. Coming off an 11-win season in 2024 and returning several key contributors on both sides of the ball, the Irish are projected to contend seriously for a Playoff spot in 2025. The combination of high expectations and high-stakes games makes this year’s green jersey outings more than just aesthetic events—they’re now focal points in a campaign defined by championship aspirations.
Marcus Freeman has embraced tradition as a recruiting and motivational tool. While some coaches shy away from symbolic gestures, Freeman sees the green jerseys as a way to connect past and present, to show recruits and current players alike that Notre Dame’s history is not a burden, but a source of strength. “When you wear that green jersey,” Freeman said in a recent interview, “you carry the weight of the legends who wore it before you—but you also create your own moment. That’s the beauty of it.”
Recruits have taken notice as well. Social media buzz around the announcement was immediate, with several high-profile prospects commenting on the jerseys and reposting mockups. In the modern era of recruiting, where branding and image matter more than ever, Notre Dame’s ability to blend tradition with modern presentation gives it a unique edge. The green jerseys symbolize that fusion perfectly—instantly recognizable, historically rooted, and always timely.
The reaction from alumni and former players has also been overwhelmingly positive. Many former Irish stars have spoken about the adrenaline rush that came from wearing green, particularly in rivalry games or during major national showcases. For fans, it’s an emotional connection that goes beyond the field—a visual representation of identity, pride, and the shared passion that binds generations of Notre Dame supporters.
There is also a strategic component at play. Night games, particularly in South Bend, have become some of the most electric environments in college football. Adding the green jerseys to that mix against Stanford is likely to elevate the atmosphere even further. Notre Dame Stadium has undergone several renovations in recent years, and athletic department officials have made it clear they want to enhance the in-game experience. The green-out initiative is a part of that broader effort to create a fearsome home-field advantage.
Beyond fanfare, the green jerseys also serve as a rallying point in a season that promises to be full of twists, turns, and Playoff implications. With a schedule that includes games against Texas A&M, Clemson, Miami, and traditional rivals like Navy and Purdue, every emotional and psychological edge matters. The green games become not just a chance to look different, but to feel different—to lock in, dial up the intensity, and play with purpose.
Notre Dame’s identity as an independent program has always allowed it a certain freedom in how it schedules and presents itself, and the green jerseys reflect that spirit. They’re not dictated by a corporate alternate-uniform plan or a conference schedule. Instead, they emerge out of storylines and traditions unique to Notre Dame alone. That autonomy makes the announcement all the more meaningful and authentic. It’s not just marketing—it’s mission.
Of course, with tradition comes pressure. Fans and analysts alike will scrutinize every aspect of the green jersey games. Wins in both could galvanize the team heading into the postseason. A loss, especially in a rivalry game, could add a tinge of regret to what was meant to be a moment of celebration. The stakes are as high as the lights are bright.
But that’s exactly the point. Notre Dame isn’t shying away from the spotlight in 2025. They’re leaning into it. They’re welcoming the expectations, embracing the scrutiny, and using every available tool—history, pageantry, and yes, green jerseys—to chase greatness.
As the season approaches, fans already have those two dates circled on their calendars. October 11 under the lights at home against Stanford. November 29 beneath the California sky against USC. Two rivalries. Two defining moments. One team in green, chasing a legacy that spans generations.
In South Bend, the phrase “wearing green” means more than just a color change—it’s a signal. A call to arms. A reminder that at Notre Dame, tradition is not something to be preserved in the past. It’s a living, breathing part of the present.
And in 2025, that tradition will be on full display. Twice.
