No. 4 Notre Dame and Wisconsin Set for Clash at Lambeau Field on Sunday Night

Shamrock Series at Lambeau Field

The highly anticipated 2026 Shamrock Series will kick off under the lights this Sunday night, September 6, as the No. 4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish prepare to face off against the Wisconsin Badgers at the historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Originally scheduled for the 2020 season before being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this neutral site game marks a monumental return of major college football to the home of the Green Bay Packers. With kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT, the primetime showdown will be broadcast nationally on NBC and Peacock.

Fighting Irish Driven to Erase Early-Season Stumbles

After an impressive 10-game winning streak to end their previous regular season, Notre Dame ultimately found itself on the outside looking in when the College Football Playoff bracket was announced last December. This year, head coach Marcus Freeman and the fourth ranked Fighting Irish have vowed to leave absolutely no doubt about their worthiness for a championship run.

Achieving that mission begins with correcting a persistent trend of early season stumbles that has previously hindered Freeman’s otherwise glittering coaching tenure. Over the last four seasons, Notre Dame has gone a combined 13-6 in pre-October matchups compared to a dominant 30-5 record later in the year, highlighting the crucial importance of a strong September start.

The weight of early losses was painfully clear last year when back-to-back defeats to open the season against eventual playoff participants Miami and Texas A&M ultimately cost the Irish a playoff bid. While Wisconsin enters this matchup as a substantial underdog, Notre Dame remains acutely aware of its history as a prohibitive favorite in early season upsets, having suffered unexpected September losses to Marshall in 2022 and Northern Illinois in 2024. This time around, much is expected from the Irish offense under the leadership of quarterback CJ Carr, while an elite, star-studded defense is anchored by All-America cornerback Leonard Moore.

Rejuvenated Badgers Eye Major Statement Under Fickell

On the other side of the field, the Wisconsin Badgers view this marquee game as the perfect opportunity to prove they are a vastly different team than the squad that struggled through recent rebuilding campaigns. Entering his fourth season at the helm in Madison, head coach Luke Fickell has aggressively overhauled the roster by welcoming 34 transfers over the offseason. Chief among these newcomers is former Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph, who has been officially named the team’s starter and will face an immediate trial by fire against one of the nation’s most formidable defenses.

Adding a layer of personal drama to the tactical battle, this game marks the first time Marcus Freeman will face Luke Fickell as an opposing head coach. Freeman famously played under Fickell at Ohio State and later served alongside him on the coaching staff at Cincinnati. To pull off the upset at Lambeau, Fickell’s squad will rely on establishing an early ground game through running back Abu Sama III while leaning on an infused group of pass catchers to take care of the football and limit short-field opportunities for the Irish.

Historic Venue Sets the Stage for Traditions

This blockbuster game serves as the latest installment of Notre Dame’s famous Shamrock Series, a tradition where the Fighting Irish opt to play select home games at notable neutral sites and NFL stadiums across the country. The Irish boast a flawless history in these unique showcases, having won all 12 of their previous Shamrock Series appearances. This record includes a decisive 41-13 victory over Wisconsin when the two programs clashed at Chicago’s Soldier Field back in 2021.

Though Lambeau Field represents neutral ground in the standings, Notre Dame is designated as the official home team for this matchup, meaning the broadcast will air on NBC and the Irish will wear their custom navy blue alternate uniforms featuring metallic gold accents. Wisconsin will counter with their own striking red alternate uniforms sporting chrome numbering. While the game represents Notre Dame’s first ever appearance at the iconic stadium, Wisconsin returns to Green Bay for the first time since their memorable 16-14 upset over No. 5 LSU in 2016, hoping history can repeat itself on Sunday night.