Notre Dame football to face Michigan State in 2026 and 2027
The battle for the Megaphone Trophy has been renewed. On Thursday, the Notre Dame football program announced that it will face Michigan State in 2026 and 2027.
The restart of the rivalry will mark the first time the Fighting Irish and Spartans have faced each other since 2017. Notre Dame won that game, 38-18, in East Lansing, Mich.
Nine years later, the Irish will welcome Sparty to Notre Dame Stadium on Sept. 19, 2026. Then, Michigan State will have home-field advantage on Sept. 18, 2027.
The series has occurred 79 times. Notre Dame holds an all-time 49-29-1 record.
The last time these two rivals clashed, the Irish defense forced three turnovers in the first quarter, including a Julian Love pick-six on Michigan State’s opening possession. Fellow defensive back Shaun Crawford caused and recovered a fumble, while Daelin Hayes scooped up one forced by Greer Martini.
Notre Dame scored on both ensuing possessions.
Brandon Wimbush, Dexter Williams and Deon McIntosh scored rushing touchdowns, while Wimbush also connected in the air with Williams for 6. The Spartans outgained the Irish in total offense, 496-355.
The last time Michigan State faced Notre Dame in South Bend was in 2016. The Spartans won that matchup 36-28. Before that, the Irish claimed the previous three outings. That was after Michigan State beat Brian Kelly’s squad in overtime in his first season in 2010.
The first time Notre Dame faced Michigan State was in 1887, a game the Irish won 34-6. In 1949, they began playing for the Megaphone Trophy. The series has been a bloodbath ever since. The last 64 times these teams have met, at least one was ranked by the Associated Press.
Who does Notre Dame football play in 2026 and 2027?
Currently, Notre Dame’s first known game of the 2026 season will be against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Sept. 5, 2026. The Irish will face Purdue and North Carolina on the road on Sept. 26 and Oct. 3, respectively, before hosting Virginia on Oct. 17. Notre Dame also has away games against Navy (Oct. 31) and USC (Nov. 28).
The Irish have also agreed to play Syracuse and Miami in 2026.
In 2027, the Irish host Purdue on Sept. 4, Georgia Tech on Oct. 2, Virginia Tech on Nov. 6 and Navy on Nov. 20. They will also take on Wake Forest at a date to be determined.
As is the case with both Michigan State games, the time and broadcast networks of each future matchup are still to be determined.
