One of college football’s most historic rivalries is finally coming back to life.
On Saturday night, the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish will welcome the Michigan State Spartans to Notre Dame Stadium for a nationally televised primetime showdown carrying history, rivalry pride and the famous Megaphone Trophy.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC, while fans who prefer to stream the action can watch live on Peacock.
And this is far more than another early-season matchup.
Notre Dame and Michigan State have not played since 2017, meaning Saturday night will mark the return of a rivalry that once occupied a regular place on the college football calendar.
When and Where Is Notre Dame vs. Michigan State?
Here is everything fans need to know before kickoff:
Matchup: Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium
Location: Notre Dame, Indiana
TV Channel: NBC
Streaming: Peacock
NBC will carry the game nationally as part of its longtime Notre Dame football coverage, with Peacock simulstreaming the matchup.
The primetime setting should create one of the most intense atmospheres of the weekend.
A Historic Rivalry Returns
Saturday will represent the 80th meeting between Notre Dame and Michigan State.
Notre Dame holds a 49–29–1 advantage in the all-time series, but the numbers only tell part of the story. These programs have produced decades of unforgettable games, dramatic finishes and national championship implications.
Since 1949, the winner has traditionally received the Megaphone Trophy, one of the oldest rivalry trophies associated with Notre Dame football.
The Irish currently possess the trophy after winning the most recent meeting in 2017.
Now, after nearly a decade apart, the Spartans are coming back to South Bend.
There is also another historical element surrounding this matchup. The 2026 season marks the 60th anniversary of the legendary 1966 “Game of the Century,” when undefeated Notre Dame and Michigan State — ranked among the best teams in America — played to a famous 10–10 tie.
That history gives Saturday night an atmosphere that goes well beyond the standings.
Both Teams Enter Undefeated
Perhaps the most exciting part of this matchup is that neither program has suffered a defeat this season.
Notre Dame enters Saturday at 2–0, while Michigan State also arrives in South Bend with a 2–0 record.
The Fighting Irish are ranked No. 3 nationally, immediately raising the stakes for a Michigan State team looking to make a statement on one of college football’s biggest stages.
Notre Dame most recently delivered a dominant performance against Rice, while Michigan State comes into the contest after defeating Eastern Michigan.
For the Irish, the mission is straightforward: defend home field, remain undefeated and continue building a résumé worthy of championship contention.
For Michigan State, the opportunity is enormous.
A road victory over the No. 3 team in the country would instantly transform the Spartans’ season and send shockwaves across college football.
What Should Fans Watch For?
The opening quarter could be critical.
Notre Dame will want to use the energy of its home crowd to establish control immediately. A fast start could force Michigan State into uncomfortable situations and allow the Irish defense to dictate the game.
Michigan State, meanwhile, must remain composed.
Playing under the lights at Notre Dame Stadium against a top-three opponent is exactly the kind of environment where early mistakes can become devastating. Turnovers, penalties or special-teams errors could quickly change the direction of the game.
If the Spartans can survive the early emotional surge and keep the score close into the second half, however, pressure could begin shifting toward Notre Dame.
Another major battle will come at the line of scrimmage.
Rivalry games are often decided not by highlight-reel plays but by third downs, red-zone execution, field position and which team controls the physical battle up front.
Expect both sides to treat every possession as valuable.
How to Stream Notre Dame vs. Michigan State
Fans without traditional cable or satellite television can stream the matchup through Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform.
Peacock is carrying Notre Dame home football games throughout the 2026 season, making it the primary streaming destination for Saturday night’s matchup.
International availability may differ depending on location and broadcasting rights, so viewers outside the United States should verify local coverage before kickoff.
A Primetime Battle Worth Watching
There are ordinary September football games — and then there are nights like this.
Notre Dame Stadium. Two undefeated teams. A top-three national contender. A historic opponent returning after nearly a decade. The Megaphone Trophy waiting for its next owner.
Notre Dame wants to protect its perfect record and continue marching toward its biggest goals of the season.
Michigan State wants something entirely different: to walk into South Bend, silence the crowd and deliver one of the biggest statements of the young college football season.
When the lights come on Saturday night, history and the present will collide.
Michigan State vs. No. 3 Notre Dame.
Saturday, September 19. 7:30 p.m. ET. NBC and Peacock.
The rivalry is back — and college football fans won’t want to miss a second of it. 🏈🔥
