2026 Navy-Notre Dame Game

GILLETTE STADIUM TO HOST 2026 NAVY-NOTRE DAME GAME

Gillette Stadium will host the storied matchup between the Midshipmen and Fighting Irish for the first time in the 99-game series history on Oct. 31, 2026

Gillette Stadium will host the 2026 Navy-Notre Dame Game presented by Navy Federal and Navy Mutual for the first time on Oct. 31, 2026, it was announced today by Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk, Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group Robert Kraft, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and President and CEO of Meet Boston Martha J. Sheridan.

“The extraordinary effort put forth by the Kraft Group, the New England Patriots and the entire New England area for the 2023 Army-Navy Game made it logical to bring back another great rivalry, the 99th playing of the Navy-Notre Dame Game, to Gillette Stadium on Oct. 31, 2026,” said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. “The Boston area is a terrific place to visit in the fall and I have no doubt both Navy and Notre Dame fans will pack Gillette Stadium.”

“We are thrilled to host the 2026 Navy-Notre Dame Game and welcome these two historic programs and their passionate fanbases to Gillette Stadium for the first time in this storied, century-long rivalry,” said Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group. “We are honored that Navy has chosen Gillette Stadium and our region as the host for the 99^th playing of this game steeped in tradition. New England has a deep appreciation for competition at the highest level and the sacrifices and cohesive teamwork that reaching such heights requires. The Midshipmen and Fighting Irish epitomize this, and we look forward to welcoming one of the gridiron’s greatest rivalries to Gillette Stadium in 2026.”

The 2026 installment of Navy-Notre Dame will mark the first time in the 99-game series history that the storied rivalry will be played in New England. The matchup will be the Fighting Irish’s first time playing at Gillette Stadium, and the Midshipmen’s second appearance at the home of the New England Patriots and Revolution after competing there for the 2023 Army-Navy Game presented by USAA. Navy will be the home team for the 2026 iteration of the game, while Notre Dame will be the visiting team.

“Massachusetts is the perfect host for the 2026 Navy-Notre Dame Game,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “This is where our nation and our military traditions started, and Gillette Stadium has a strong record of successfully hosting large events from the Army-Navy Game to the upcoming FIFA World Cup. We are honored that the Navy chose Gillette Stadium to host this historic game and look forward to welcoming the Midshipmen, Fighting Irish and all of their fans to Massachusetts.”

“Hosting the prestigious Navy-Notre Dame Game for the first time is an incredible opportunity to showcase our destination as we welcome football fans and the Navy and Notre Dame communities to Massachusetts,” said Martha J. Sheridan, President and CEO of Meet Boston. “Our sports teams and spirited rivalries are integral parts of the fabric of our region. Having this iconic college football game here in the Commonwealth in the midst of a quintessential New England fall will be an incredible economic driver for our visitor economy and the entire region.”

The history of the Navy-Notre Dame Game dates back to 1927, when two of the nation’s oldest football programs first met on the field. The series was the longest continuous intersectional rivalry in college football, playing 93 consecutive years from 1927-2019, before COVID-19 canceled the 2020 game. The two teams recently squared off for the 97^th playing of the game in a ranked matchup at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 26. Additional details, including ticketing information, about the 2026 Navy-Notre Dame Game at Gillette Stadium will be made available at a later date.