Notre Dame and Villanova Slated to Make History in Rome
- Brenden Duffy
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Notre Dame and Villanova’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball programs are in the “final stages” of scheduling a historic 2026 College Basketball Season Tip-Off in Italy, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander.
Photos via Notre Dame Athletics
While the official start date for next season’s start is November 2nd, the NCAA has granted “special clearance” for the two programs to play their doubleheader one day early on November 1st, "given the historic precedent of the games."
The obvious reason this idea came to light is because of the two schools’ ties to Pope Leo XIV. Besides Notre Dame and Villanova being two of the most prominent private Catholic schools in the country, Pope Leo XIV, or at the time Robert Francis Prevost, is a 1977 Wildcats alumnus. Pope Leo XIV also grew up in the Chicagoland area, surrounded by Notre Dame’s heavy Midwest presence. Norlander reports, “The Pope's involvement in the event — if any — is unclear and very much to be determined, according to sources, though officials from both schools have been in contact with the Pope and people around the Holy See.” Notre Dame President Rev. Robert A. Dowd and Pope Leo XIV held a private meeting in November.
Photo via Vatican Media
Norlander also reported, “Villanova and Notre Dame worked in concert on arranging the game for months, sources said, with talks seriously materializing in the early fall. Paperwork has not been finalized, but both schools are moving forward with the expectation that one of college basketball's most ambitious scheduling ideas in recent memory will transpire on the first day of November.” Fox is set to broadcast both games from the afternoon in Rome, which is morning in the United States. “...The general plan is to have Villanova-Notre Dame lead into NFL coverage on Fox in the United States on that Sunday. The women's game is planned to air afterward on Fox Sports 1.”
This matchup is believed to be the first men’s college basketball season-opener in a different country and the first-ever regular-season DI basketball games in Italy. Palazzetto dello Sport, translated to “Small Sport Palace,” will host the games in its 3500-seat venue. The arena was originally designed for the 1960 Rome Olympics and still stands following recent renovations in the past decade. Palazzetto dello Sport is located just 30 minutes from the Apostolic Palace, where Pope Leo XIV resides.
This season, the Notre Dame and Villanova Men’s teams are heading in different directions. The Irish, under third-year Head Coach Micah Shrewsberry, are 11-14 and 2-10 in the ACC, albeit without their star Markus Burton. The Wildcats appear back on their way to March Madness after a disappointing couple of seasons led by Kyle Neptune. Now, with former Maryland Head Coach Kevin Willard in charge, Villanova sits at 19-5 and 10-3 in Big East play.
On the Women’s side, the Irish and sixth-year Head Coach Niele Ivey are experiencing a bit of a setback this year with a 15-9 record, including 7-6 in the ACC. They will likely need to string together some solid wins this month, including in the conference tournament, to secure a spot in March Madness. However, there is reason for optimism with a strong 2026 recruiting class and a potential senior season from Hannah Hidalgo providing some future light for Ivey’s squad. Villanova is also led by a former player alumnus who was hired the same season as Ivey, Denise Dillon. After missing out on March Madness the previous two years, the Wildcats appear back on track, sitting at 20-5 and 13-3 in the Big East.
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