Notre Dame Football has announced a future series with the Illinois Fighting Illini, adding a new matchup to the Fighting Irish's non-conference schedule.
The announcement was made on November 3, 2026, though specific dates for the games were not immediately disclosed. The series will bring together two historic programs from the Midwest, with Notre Dame representing the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, and Illinois representing the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.
A photo from Notre Dame's Blue-Gold Spring Game on April 25, 2026, shows cleats and helmets on an equipment box at Notre Dame Stadium, highlighting the program's preparation for upcoming seasons.
