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Texas and Notre Dame Confirm Football Series

The two programs have scheduled home-and-home games for the 2028 and 2029 seasons.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Football

Expressive editorial sports illustration showing two opposing college football players in burnt orange and navy blue uniforms engaged in motion.
The University of Texas and the University of Notre Dame have scheduled a two-game football series for the 2028 and 2029 seasons. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Texas University has officially confirmed a two-game football series against Notre Dame. The teams will face off in South Bend in 2028 and return to Austin in 2029.

Why it matters

The expansion of the College Football Playoff to 24 teams allows programs to schedule difficult non-conference opponents with greater flexibility. This structure supports higher-profile matchups without compromising postseason prospects.

Notre Dame currently holds a 9-3 lead in the all-time series against Texas. In their last encounter in 2016, Texas defeated Notre Dame with a final score of 50-47.

The players

Texas University

This public research university located in Austin maintains a major collegiate athletic department competing in the SEC.

Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame is a private Catholic research university in Indiana known for its historic independent football program.

The details

The series revival follows the anticipated 2027 transition to a 24-team College Football Playoff format. Texas is set to travel to South Bend on September 9, 2028, before hosting the Fighting Irish on September 22, 2029.

Timeline

  1. Texas defeated Notre Dame in Austin during the 2016 season.

  2. The 24-team College Football Playoff is expected to begin in 2027.

  3. Texas plays at Notre Dame on September 9, 2028.

  4. Texas hosts Notre Dame on September 22, 2029.

Season Trajectory

The addition of this series aligns with the strategic shift toward a 24-team College Football Playoff format starting in 2027. This move signals a trend where elite programs prioritize high-profile non-conference games to boost their postseason resumes.

Season ticket holders in Austin can mark their calendars for a major home matchup against a traditional powerhouse in 2029. This non-conference series guarantees a marquee opponent on the home schedule as the team navigates the evolving playoff landscape.

The takeaway

The return of this historic matchup highlights how expanded playoff brackets are reshaping long-term non-conference scheduling strategies. Fans can look forward to these high-stakes games as both programs adapt to the new postseason reality.

Further reading

For more updates on the program, visit the Football section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by 247Sports.

Live Poll

Should college football teams prioritize playing high-profile non-conference opponents despite the risk to playoff qualification?