How to Watch Tomorrow’s Notre Dame Blue-Gold Spring Game: TV Channel, Time, and What to Expect

As spring blossoms across the Midwest, the heart of South Bend, Indiana beats once more to the rhythm of football. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are set to hold their annual Blue-Gold Spring Game on Saturday, April 12, 2025, offering fans a much-anticipated preview of what’s to come this fall. Whether you bleed blue and gold or are a casual college football enthusiast, this spring showcase serves as an appetizer to the full-course season still months away.

In this article, we’ll break down how to watch the game, what time it starts, how the teams are structured, players to watch, and what this spring game really means for Notre Dame football moving forward. Consider this your complete viewer’s guide to one of college football’s most storied traditions.

How to Watch: Channel and Streaming Info

• Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
• Time: 2:00 PM Eastern Time (ET)
• Location: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
• TV/Streaming: Exclusively on Peacock (NBCUniversal’s streaming platform)

If you’re planning to watch from home, the only place to catch the Blue-Gold Game live is Peacock. Unlike some other spring games around the country, Notre Dame has opted for a digital-first viewing experience through NBC’s streaming service. This continues a recent trend among college football programs to embrace streaming platforms as part of broader media strategies.

Peacock offers multiple subscription options, but if you’re not already a member, you’ll need to sign up for Peacock Premium, which starts at $5.99/month. You can watch on a range of devices including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming sticks like Roku or Amazon Fire Stick.

Unfortunately, the game will not be broadcast on traditional cable or satellite TV, so be sure to prepare your login information ahead of time.

Attending in Person? Here’s What You Need to Know

For those lucky enough to be in South Bend this weekend, Notre Dame Stadium will be open to fans looking to catch the action live. Tickets are incredibly affordable, starting at just $10, and kids under the age of 18 get in free with a ticketed adult. Tickets are available through the official Notre Dame Athletics website.

• Gates open at 12:30 PM ET
• Holy Half Marathon is scheduled earlier in the day, so fans are encouraged to arrive after 11:00 AM to avoid congestion.
• Free parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis using zipper parking protocols.

Notre Dame has also announced a full day of events and family-friendly activities, including a Fan Fest on the stadium’s South Quad featuring food, games, and merchandise.

Game Format: Blue vs. Gold – What’s the Structure?

This year’s Blue-Gold game will follow a special offense vs. defense format, a slight departure from the traditional “draft” model used in past seasons. Here’s how the setup looks:

• Team Blue (Offense): Coordinated by Mike Denbrock, Notre Dame’s newly-returned Offensive Coordinator and tight ends coach.
• Team Gold (Defense): Led by Chris Ash, the Irish’s new Defensive Coordinator.

The game will feature 12 total drives, split into three periods of four drives each. These aren’t full quarters, but more like scripted scenarios to allow the coaching staff to evaluate performance under different game-like conditions. Each drive is expected to last a minimum of six plays, regardless of whether the offense scores or turns it over.

Notably:

• Quarterbacks will wear green jerseys and will not be live (no contact).
• Special teams will be limited, with no full-speed kickoffs or punt returns.
• Scoring will use a modified system, awarding points to the defense for stops, turnovers, and big plays.

Storylines to Watch

1. The QB Room – CJ Carr Makes His Debut

Perhaps the biggest storyline is the unofficial debut of CJ Carr, the highly-rated freshman quarterback and grandson of legendary Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. Irish fans have been buzzing about his arrival, and while spring games are often scripted and protective of their QBs, Carr’s poise and arm strength will be on full display.

He’s competing with returning quarterbacks Steve Angeli and Kenny Minchey, both of whom saw limited snaps in 2024. The staff wants to create genuine competition ahead of the summer, and this spring performance could swing the momentum in someone’s favor.

2. New Coaching Era Begins

The 2025 season marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Irish under Marcus Freeman’s restructured coaching staff. With the addition of Chris Ash and the return of Denbrock, Freeman is banking on experience and familiarity. Fans will be watching to see how the new staff communicates, how aggressive the play-calling looks, and how players respond to these new voices.

3. Replacing Star Power

Gone are the days of Audric Estimé pounding through defenders or Sam Hartman slinging it 50 yards downfield. Now, younger talent has to step up. This is the moment for fans to see what running backs Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love are capable of with extended touches.

Defensively, linebacker Jaylen Sneed and cornerback Benjamin Morrison will try to assert their leadership roles. With NFL-caliber shoes to fill, their growth is essential.

Players to Watch

Here are just a few names to keep an eye on during the scrimmage:

• CJ Carr (QB, Freshman) – All eyes will be on the freshman phenom. His accuracy and leadership could make headlines.
• Steve Angeli (QB) – Will he hold off Carr and Minchey to remain the No. 1 option?
• Jadarian Price (RB) – Expected to be the lead back this fall. Can he carry the load?
• Holden Staes (TE) – A reliable target, especially in short-yardage situations.
• Benjamin Morrison (CB) – The team’s top returning defensive back.
• Howard Cross III (DL) – A motor that never stops; great chance to see how he disrupts the line.
• Jaylen Sneed (LB) – High expectations after a strong offseason.

What’s Different This Year?

The biggest change comes in the game’s structure and the coaching hierarchy. With Denbrock and Ash taking over their respective units, there’s a greater sense of professionalism and system-level consistency heading into 2025.

Also, the roster is younger than it has been in recent years, especially on the offensive line and at wide receiver. Expect to see a heavy rotation of second- and third-string players as the staff evaluates depth across all positions.

How Can International Fans Watch?

For those outside the United States, Fighting Irish TV Live will stream the game globally. Notre Dame has built a robust international audience, and they’ve made strides to ensure overseas fans can stay connected to the program.

Why the Spring Game Matters

While it’s easy to dismiss spring games as glorified scrimmages, they hold deeper significance. For players, it’s an opportunity to earn playing time or secure a starting role. For coaches, it’s a chance to experiment with formations and evaluate communication between units. And for fans, it’s a first impression of the 2025 squad—a team aiming to push into the College Football Playoff conversation.

More than anything, the Blue-Gold Game signals that football is alive and well at Notre Dame.

The Blue-Gold Game is more than a date on the calendar—it’s a celebration of tradition, family, and the Fighting Irish community. Whether you’re in the stands at Notre Dame Stadium or watching from your living room via Peacock, you’ll be joining thousands of fans eager to see the future of Irish football.

Don’t miss kickoff at 2:00 PM ET on Saturday, April 12, and make sure your Peacock subscription is ready to go. The 2025 Notre Dame football journey starts now.