League: NCAAF Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Coaching

Illinois to host Notre Dame in upcoming football series

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 5, 2026, 3:48 PM

Last updated Nov 5, 2026

Illinois to host Notre Dame in upcoming football series

Summary

Illinois football coach Bret Bielema expressed excitement over the announced two-year series against Notre Dame, with the games scheduled for September 4, 2027, in South Bend and September 2, 2028, in Champaign. Bielema highlighted the significance of competing against a historic program, marking their first matchup in nearly 60 years. Illinois recently dropped Missouri off its schedule to accommodate Notre Dame, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing its competition level amid plans for a new College Football Playoff format. Illinois will next face Nebraska at home this Friday, as Bielema prepares his team for the late-season challenges ahead.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Illinois plays Notre Dame in 2027 and 2028.
•The games are the first meeting in almost 60 years.
•Illinois dropped Missouri to make room for Notre Dame.
•Bielema is focused on upcoming games before the Notre Dame series.
•Illinois hosts Nebraska this Friday night.

Latest Updates

3:48 PMYahoo Sports — Bielema excited about Notre Dame series

What they're saying

"
Nov. 5—CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema knew the question was coming. He even hinted about it during his opening statement inside the Smith Center on Wednesday. Illinois football is scheduled to play Notre Dame each of the next two seasons, first doing so on Sept. 4, 2027 in South Bend, Ind., and again on Sept. 2, 2028 in Champaign, after the two-year series was announced on Tuesday. What are his ...
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

NCAAF College Sports

Sources

External links

Yahoo SportsNov 5, 2026, 3:48 PM
Bielema excited about Notre Dame series
Nov. 5—CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema knew the question was coming. He even hinted about it during his opening statement inside the Smith Center on Wednesday. Illinois football is scheduled to play Notre Dame each of the next two seasons, first doing so on Sept. 4, 2027 in South Bend, Ind., and again on Sept. 2, 2028 in Champaign, after the two-year series was announced on Tuesday. What are his ...

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Sources

Related Stories