The Pop-Tarts Bowl matchup will happen after all.
Notre Dame has officially set a home-and-home series with BYU, beginning in 2026 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. The Cougars will return the trip in 2027 with a game in South Bend.
Dates for the two-game series will be announced later.
The 2026 clash shouldn’t lack fireworks as Utah Governor Spencer Cox took to Twitter to bash Notre Dame’s decision to opt out of the Pop-Tarts Bowl earlier this month.
“We are excited to announce this home-and-home series between BYU and Notre Dame for the 2026 and 2027 seasons,” said BYU Director of Athletics Brian Santiago. “We have tremendous respect for Notre Dame, and appreciate Director of Athletics Pete Bevacqua, who has been great to work with in arranging this series.
“These will be competitive football games, and will highlight Kalani Sitake and Marcus Freeman, two of the best leaders and coaches in college football. As private, faith-based institutions, BYU and Notre Dame share many common values, and this series provides an exceptional opportunity to showcase two world-class universities. It’s a matchup that will resonate strongly with Cougar fans and college football fans everywhere.”
The 2026 contest will mark Notre Dame’s third trip to Provo and its first since 2004. BYU’s visit to Notre Dame Stadium in 2027 will be the Cougars’ first since 2013.
Notre Dame leads the all-time series 7–2, including a 28–20 win over BYU in the most recent meeting in Las Vegas in 2022.
And yes, this scheduling move is a direct reflection of where things stand between Notre Dame and USC regarding their historic rivalry.
Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger has reported that the two programs are still working toward resuming the series, potentially as early as 2030.
Series History
2022 - Notre Dame 28, BYU 20
2013 – Notre Dame 23, BYU 13
2012 – Notre Dame 17, BYU 14
2005 – Notre Dame 49, BYU 23
2004 – BYU 20, Notre Dame 17
2003 – Notre Dame 33, BYU 14
1994 – BYU 21, Notre Dame 14
1993 – Notre Dame 45, BYU 20
1992 – Notre Dame 42, BYU 16
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