The college football world is buzzing with excitement following the announcement that Auburn and Notre Dame—two of the sport’s most storied programs—are set to meet for the first time ever on September 25, 2027. The highly anticipated matchup will take place at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, marking the beginning of a historic home-and-home series between two powerhouse programs separated by tradition, geography, and conference affiliation. The return game is set for October 28, 2028, when the Fighting Irish will make the trip south to Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, for what promises to be one of the most electric atmospheres in recent memory.
For decades, fans of both programs have dreamed about what it would look like if the blue and gold of Notre Dame clashed with the navy and orange of Auburn. Both schools boast rich football legacies, passionate fan bases, and reputations for playing with grit and pride. Yet despite all the bowl games, marquee matchups, and national title races that have shaped college football’s history, these two titans have never shared the same field—until now. The announcement, confirmed by both schools, immediately sent shockwaves across the sport, with social media lighting up as fans began imagining what could be one of the most memorable series of the late 2020s.
The matchup carries a sense of prestige that few regular-season games can rival. On one side stands Notre Dame, the independent juggernaut whose golden helmets, storied rivalries, and legacy of championships have made it a global brand. On the other is Auburn, a proud SEC powerhouse known for its toughness, its legendary rivalries with Alabama and Georgia, and its rich tradition of developing elite talent. Together, they represent two distinct worlds within college football—Notre Dame’s storied independence and Auburn’s SEC identity—meeting at the perfect time to remind fans why the sport’s interregional clashes are so special.
From a scheduling standpoint, the series makes perfect sense. In an era when the College Football Playoff is expanding and strength of schedule has become more critical than ever, elite programs are looking to build marquee nonconference matchups that test their rosters and excite their fans. Notre Dame has long prided itself on scheduling a national slate, often facing SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Pac-12 opponents in the same decade. For Auburn, this is an opportunity to showcase its brand beyond the SEC and to test itself against one of the most tradition-rich programs in history. It’s the kind of matchup that resonates with recruits, boosters, and fans alike—two blue-bloods meeting under the lights with championship implications on the line.
The first matchup, scheduled for September 25, 2027, at Notre Dame Stadium, promises to be a spectacle steeped in pageantry. South Bend, Indiana, will transform into the epicenter of college football that weekend, as fans from across the country converge to witness history. For Notre Dame, the opportunity to host Auburn represents both a challenge and an opportunity. The Fighting Irish have played SEC opponents before, but Auburn brings a different flavor of football—physical, fast, and forged in the crucible of the sport’s toughest conference. Notre Dame Stadium, a cathedral of college football, will provide the perfect stage for a matchup decades in the making.
For Auburn, stepping onto the hallowed grounds of Notre Dame Stadium will be a moment of both reverence and readiness. The Tigers have faced plenty of intimidating environments within the SEC, from Death Valley to Bryant-Denny, but playing under the shadow of the Golden Dome will bring a different kind of aura. It will be a test not just of their physicality, but of their poise under pressure against a program that has built its legacy on discipline and execution.
Then, just over a year later, the rematch will shift to the Deep South, where the Fighting Irish will make the journey to Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 28, 2028. Few venues in college football can match the electricity of Jordan-Hare on a Saturday night. The Tiger Walk, the soaring roar of “War Eagle,” and the sea of orange and blue will provide a sharp contrast to the classic mystique of Notre Dame’s home field. It will be a culture clash in the best way possible—Midwestern tradition meeting Southern passion. Fans can expect an unforgettable scene as Notre Dame’s faithful travel south to experience SEC football in its purest form, while Auburn fans will embrace the chance to welcome one of college football’s most recognizable brands into their home turf.
Beyond the immediate excitement, the Auburn–Notre Dame series carries deeper implications for both programs’ long-term ambitions. For Notre Dame, these games represent another chance to reinforce its reputation as a team willing to take on anyone, anywhere. The Irish have long rejected the notion of conference dependency, instead carving their own path through independence. Facing Auburn on the road continues that legacy and serves as a valuable litmus test against SEC competition—something that often factors heavily into playoff discussions.
For Auburn, these games could be pivotal moments in the program’s continued evolution under head coach Hugh Freeze, or whoever is leading the team at the time. By 2027, Auburn will likely have further cemented its recruiting pipelines and developed a roster capable of competing with anyone. Taking on Notre Dame not only raises the program’s national profile but also offers an invaluable opportunity to showcase SEC football’s physical dominance against a team known for its balance and execution. A victory over Notre Dame—especially on the road—would be a major statement, while hosting and potentially beating the Irish at Jordan-Hare would be a historic milestone.
From a recruiting perspective, this series could have ripple effects across multiple regions. For Notre Dame, the trip to Auburn offers exposure in the Southeast, an area rich with high school talent and a region where SEC schools traditionally dominate recruiting battles. Playing in front of recruits from Alabama, Georgia, and Florida could help Notre Dame strengthen its presence below the Mason-Dixon line. Conversely, Auburn’s visit to South Bend provides access to Midwest prospects who might otherwise never experience SEC football up close. It’s a recruiting showcase that benefits both programs, reinforcing their national reach and appeal.
Fans are already eagerly anticipating the storylines that will unfold when these two programs collide. How will Notre Dame’s disciplined, pro-style offense fare against Auburn’s aggressive, high-tempo defense? Can Auburn’s running game find success against a Notre Dame front known for physicality and fundamentals? And perhaps most intriguingly, how will each fan base experience the other’s traditions? The “Play Like a Champion Today” sign in South Bend, the flight of the eagle before kickoff in Auburn—two sacred rituals that capture the spirit of their programs, soon to be shared and respected by both sides.
