The historic USC-Notre Dame football rivalry will officially restart with a four-game series beginning in 2030, the schools announced Monday. The agreement follows a multi-year pause after scheduling disagreements between the programs.
USC and Notre Dame finalize four-game rivalry series starting in 2030
Both institutions confirmed the renewal of the series, which includes Week 1 matchups in 2030 and 2031, followed by two additional games in the first three weeks of the 2032 and 2033 seasons. The 2030 game will be played at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, while Notre Dame Stadium will host the 2031 contest. The 2032 and 2033 games will rotate between the two campuses.
USC secures early-season scheduling preference
Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley stated the decision to play the rivalry games early in the season aligns with USC’s Big Ten Conference obligations. Riley emphasized the program’s lack of schedule flexibility compared to independent Notre Dame, noting, “We don’t make our own schedule, we don’t choose our own kickoff times.” The early-season placement allows USC to integrate the game into a traditional non-conference window while accommodating its conference schedule.
Notre Dame confirms participation despite initial resistance
Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick and head coach Marcus Freeman confirmed the agreement in separate statements. Swarbrick highlighted the rivalry’s significance, calling it “one of the most storied in college football.” Freeman, who previously stated he was open to playing the game at any point in the season, did not publicly address the scheduling shift following the announcement.
Series history and recent outcomes
Notre Dame leads the all-time series 51-37-5, dating back to their first meeting in 1926. The most recent contest in 2024 resulted in a 34-24 Notre Dame victory in South Bend. USC’s 2005 win was later vacated due to NCAA sanctions, adjusting their official record to 37-53-5. Riley’s Trojans are 1-3 against the Irish during his tenure.
Programmatic and competitive implications
USC athletic director Jen Cohen framed the renewal as vital for the Trojan Family, stating the early-season placement allows the program to “schedule competitively with [its] Big Ten peers” while prioritizing student-athlete health. The agreement ensures the rivalry remains a marquee non-conference matchup, though it departs from the traditional October/November scheduling that defined the series for decades.
The four-game series concludes a period of uncertainty that saw the rivalry canceled in 2026 after USC and Notre Dame failed to agree on scheduling terms. The renewed series will span four consecutive seasons, providing long-term stability for fans and programs alike.