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

Wisconsin and Notre Dame Shamrock Series game sets viewership records

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 11, 2026, 10:30 AM

Last updated Sep 11, 2026

Wisconsin and Notre Dame Shamrock Series game sets viewership records

Summary

The Week 1 matchup between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish established new viewership benchmarks for NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports reported that the broadcast averaged 8.1 million viewers, making it the most-watched college football game of the weekend. Viewership figures peaked at 9.7 million viewers during the second quarter. The event represents the third-most-watched Notre Dame game on the network since 2005, trailing only contests against Clemson and Ohio State. Additionally, the broadcast recorded the largest audience for a Notre Dame game on NBC featuring an unranked opponent. This year's Shamrock Series saw an 87% increase in total viewers compared to the Fighting Irish's 2024 season opener.

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Key Details

•NBC and Peacock averaged 8.1 million viewers for the Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame game.
•The broadcast peaked at 9.7 million viewers during the second quarter.
•This game was the most-streamed Notre Dame on NBC simulcast in history.
•Viewership for the 2026 Shamrock Series increased 87% over the 2024 season opener.
•The matchup ranked as the most-watched college football game of the weekend.

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