A 12-game home-and-home football series has been agreed to between Notre Dame and Clemson.
In an era of ever-shifting college football landscapes driven by conference realignment and television contracts, two of the sport’s most recognizable programs—Notre Dame and Clemson—have agreed to something rare, bold, and refreshing. On Thursday, officials from both universities announced a landmark 12-game home-and-home series that will span over a dozen years, representing one of the most ambitious non-conference scheduling commitments in recent college football memory.
The agreement, which begins in 2027 and will run through 2038, will alternate venues between Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, and Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina—also known as “Death Valley.” For two powerhouse programs that have crossed paths in recent seasons with high stakes and electric atmospheres, the announcement has energized fans, players, and the broader college football community.
The 12-game home-and-home series is unprecedented in its scope. Most elite programs typically agree to two- or four-game series, occasionally extending to six in rare circumstances. A 12-game agreement is effectively a generational commitment, signaling a deep mutual respect between Notre Dame and Clemson.
“This is more than just a football series,” said Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick. “This is about ensuring our players and fans experience the very best the sport has to offer. Clemson is a championship-caliber program. To play them every year, alternating between South Bend and Death Valley, is a win for everyone involved.”
Clemson Athletic Director Graham Neff echoed those sentiments.
“Clemson and Notre Dame share values—athletic excellence, national visibility, and a commitment to a unique game-day experience,” Neff said. “We couldn’t be more excited about this series. It’s not just about competition; it’s about building a narrative that will captivate fans for more than a decade.”
Notre Dame and Clemson have already established a competitive and thrilling modern history. Since 2015, the programs have met five times, with both teams trading victories in games that often had national implications. The 2015 clash in a torrential downpour at Clemson was an instant classic, with the Tigers holding on for a 24–22 victory. In 2020, the two teams met twice: first in a regular-season epic that Notre Dame won in double overtime at home, and then in the ACC Championship Game (during Notre Dame’s brief pandemic-induced conference stint), where Clemson avenged the loss with a dominant 34–10 performance.
Their most recent matchup in 2023 was a physical showdown that Clemson won 31–23, stifling a potent Notre Dame offense. Every meeting has been nationally televised, featured sold-out stadiums, and generated College Football Playoff implications. This new series ensures that those dramatic scenes will continue for the next decade-plus.
Beyond tradition and pageantry, this series promises substantial national implications. Both Clemson and Notre Dame regularly contend for College Football Playoff spots and consistently rank in the AP Top 25. Their head-to-head matchups could directly impact playoff seedings, conference perception, and Heisman Trophy campaigns.
The timing of the series is also crucial. With the Playoff expanding to 12 teams, strength of schedule will be a defining factor in at-large bids and seeding. An annual matchup between Clemson and Notre Dame virtually guarantees both programs a premier strength-of-schedule boost—regardless of outcome.
“Playing Notre Dame every year will help us measure where we are as a program,” said Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. “It’s going to be a battle every time. This is the kind of series that makes your team better.”
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman was equally enthusiastic.
“There’s no question that games like these are why our kids come to Notre Dame,” Freeman said. “It’s a high-profile stage every year. You want to play against the best to prove you belong with the best.”
According to early reports, the series will rotate venues each year starting in 2027. Odd-numbered years will feature the game at Clemson, while even-numbered years will be hosted in South Bend. The full schedule is expected to be released in phases due to ongoing adjustments in both programs’ overall scheduling models.
Here’s a tentative look at the game rotation:
- 2027 – at Clemson
- 2028 – at Notre Dame
- 2029 – at Clemson
- 2030 – at Notre Dame
- 2031 – at Clemson
- 2032 – at Notre Dame
- 2033 – at Clemson
- 2034 – at Notre Dame
- 2035 – at Clemson
- 2036 – at Notre Dame
- 2037 – at Clemson
- 2038 – at Notre Dame
Officials have clarified that all 12 games are expected to be played unless mutually rescheduled due to postseason conflicts or global emergencies. Each game is expected to be televised on national networks, and both schools anticipate record-setting crowds.
The fan response to the announcement has been electric. Notre Dame and Clemson supporters immediately took to social media to praise the bold scheduling move, with many declaring it a sign of the schools’ willingness to maintain high competition standards in an increasingly diluted non-conference environment.
“I’m already planning the road trips,” said Brian Connelly, a Notre Dame season ticket holder from Chicago. “You give me a reason to go down to Death Valley every other year, and I’m there. That place is insane.”
Likewise, Clemson fans see the opportunity to invade South Bend as a dream come true.
“There’s just something about playing in Notre Dame Stadium that feels sacred,” said Lisa Holloway, a Clemson graduate based in Charlotte. “We’ve been lucky to do it a couple of times already, but now we get six chances? That’s special.”
Secondary ticket markets are expected to spike in the months leading up to each game. Both programs typically sell out their home schedules, and the inclusion of such a marquee annual game will only enhance demand.
One of the more strategic benefits of this series is the recruiting footprint expansion it allows for both programs. Clemson, a powerhouse in the Southeast, will now have a regular showcase in the Midwest. Notre Dame, which already recruits nationally, gains deeper access into the Southeast talent pool.
“This is a recruiting win on both sides,” said national recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill. “It’s a smart way to market your brand, especially when kids today want to play in big games with playoff implications. A guaranteed nationally televised matchup every year? That’s huge.”
The consistency of this matchup will also help both staffs project long-term needs. Coaches can structure their rosters knowing they’ll face a high-level opponent annually outside of conference play. This kind of clarity is increasingly rare in the transfer portal era, where roster management is year-round.
Financially, the deal is also a major victory for both programs. While the terms of the agreement were not disclosed, it’s expected that the games will command significant attention from broadcast partners.
Notre Dame, which remains independent in football and has a long-standing agreement with NBC, is likely to host its games on the network, while Clemson’s home games would fall under the ACC’s ESPN contract. The series could also see involvement from streaming platforms as media rights evolve.
“This series will deliver immense value to our broadcast partners,” Swarbrick said. “In a media environment where content is king, marquee matchups like these are gold.”
With both schools boasting massive alumni bases, there’s also potential for neutral-site spinoffs or documentary-style media productions chronicling the rivalry.
In many ways, this 12-game series sets a new standard for non-conference scheduling among elite programs. While the SEC and Big Ten are increasingly moving toward conference-heavy models, Clemson and Notre Dame are making a statement: excellence in college football is as much about ambition as it is tradition.
“This kind of series is what makes college football special,” said ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit. “You’ve got two iconic programs saying, ‘Let’s not wait for a playoff to play each other—let’s do it every year.’ That’s rare. That’s commendable.”
It remains to be seen if other schools will follow suit. There are rumors of expanded series talks between Alabama and Ohio State, Georgia and Florida State, and even a possible rekindling of the Michigan-Texas rivalry. But for now, Notre Dame and Clemson have fired the first—and perhaps boldest—shot.
The final takeaway is clear: this series will shape the college football narrative for the next decade. Every year, fans will mark their calendars for Notre Dame-Clemson. Players will circle the game. Recruits will watch with intent. And the College Football Playoff committee will take note.
In a sport often plagued by caution, this agreement is a celebration of courage, competition, and class. Notre Dame and Clemson have shown that college football’s magic lies in its willingness to evolve without abandoning what made it great in the first place—passion, pride, and unforgettable Saturdays.
