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Notre Dame and Illinois football will meet for the 1st time since 1968 with a 2-game series in 2027-28

Notre Dame and Illinois will finally meet on the football field for the first time in nearly six decades, as the two programs announced a two-game series spanning 2027 and 2028. The home-and-home series marks the first time the Fighting Irish and Fighting Illini have faced off since 1968, ending a 59-year hiatus.

Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman confirmed the move, noting that the Illini have swapped two scheduled games against Missouri for the new rivalry, which will include a matchup at each school’s home stadium. Meanwhile, Purdue has opted to pause its historic series with Notre Dame, replacing the games with a new opponent in the Big 12 conference for the 2027 season.

The scheduling shifts reflect a broader realignment in college football, as programs seek to balance tradition with strategic growth.

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