Notre Dame and Clemson have announced a 12-game home-and-home contract, guaranteeing an annual meeting between the two college football powerhouses from 2027 to 2038. The rivalry, which has already seen scheduled games in 2027 (at Clemson), 2028 (at Notre Dame), 2031 (at Clemson), 2034 (at Notre Dame), and 2037 (at Clemson), will now become a fixture in each season for the next 12 years.
This agreement represents Notre Dame’s first new 12-game series since 2002, and it aligns with the program’s goal of enhancing its football schedule to bolster its College Football Playoff chances. “This rivalry has already produced some of the most memorable moments in college football history, and our fans deserve to experience more of those unforgettable games,” said Notre Dame Vice President and Athletics Director Pete Bevacqua.
The two teams have faced off eight times previously, including twice in the postseason. One of these postseason encounters was the 2020 ACC Championship game, marking Notre Dame’s first-ever conference appearance. The all-time series currently favors Clemson, who leads 5-3, but the rivalry has always delivered high-stakes games, with at least one team ranked in the top 15 in all eight prior matchups. Notably, three of these meetings between 2018 and 2020 saw both teams ranked in the top five.
The rivalry began with a two-game home-and-home series in 1977 and 1979, coordinated by legendary athletic directors Moose Krause of Notre Dame and Frank Howard of Clemson.
As of now, both programs are on a high. Notre Dame is coming off victories in the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl and an appearance in the CFP National Championship. Both teams will also participate in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024, continuing their presence as elite programs in the sport.
Historically, both schools rank among the best in college football. Notre Dame, with 962 total victories, ranks fourth all-time and has won 11 national championships, eight of which are from the AP poll era. Clemson, with 808 wins, ranks 13th and has claimed three national titles. Both institutions are also in the top 15 for postseason bowl victories and final top 25 finishes.
Off the field, both schools excel academically, with Notre Dame and Clemson sharing the distinction of winning the AFCA Academic Achievement Award for their graduation rates in the same year they claimed national championships—Notre Dame in 1988 and Clemson in 2018. This year, both schools were among the seven recipients of the award, marking Notre Dame’s 11th win and Clemson’s fourth.
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