College football fans have another major matchup to circle on the calendar as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish return home to face the Rice Owls in the 2026 home opener at Notre Dame Stadium.
For fans asking the biggest question — which channel will broadcast Notre Dame vs. Rice? — the answer is NBC, with the game also streaming live on Peacock.
The matchup is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame’s official athletics site and NBC Sports both confirm the television and streaming information.
📺 FULL TV AND STREAMING GUIDE
🏈 Game: Rice Owls at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
📅 Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
⏰ Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT
🏟️ Venue: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
📺 TV: NBC
💻 Streaming: Peacock
📻 Radio: Notre Dame Radio Network
NBC Sports’ official 2026 Notre Dame schedule confirms that the Rice matchup will be carried on both NBC and Peacock, continuing Notre Dame’s long-running national television partnership with NBC.
For fans in the United States who prefer streaming rather than traditional television, Peacock is the key option. Viewers should make sure their subscription is active before kickoff.
International viewers should check their local broadcaster or authorized streaming service, as college football media rights can vary by country.
☘️ NOTRE DAME RETURNS TO SOUTH BEND
This game represents a major moment for the Fighting Irish because it is their 2026 home opener.
Notre Dame began the season with a high-profile Shamrock Series matchup against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. Now the Irish return to their traditional home at Notre Dame Stadium, where the atmosphere is expected to be completely different.
The program’s official schedule confirms that Rice is the first of six opponents Notre Dame will host at home during the 2026 regular season.
After beginning the season on the road, Notre Dame will have the opportunity to establish its identity in front of its home supporters.
And with national television cameras covering the game, there will be no shortage of attention.
🔥 A FAMILIAR OPPONENT RETURNS
Notre Dame and Rice are not meeting for the first time.
The programs have previously faced one another five times, beginning with a 1915 meeting. Notre Dame won the first five games of the series, including the most recent matchup, a 48-17 victory in 2014.
Saturday’s game therefore represents the first meeting between the teams since 2014.
Rice enters South Bend knowing that history will not matter once the ball is kicked off.
The Owls will have an enormous opportunity to play on one of college football’s most recognizable stages and test themselves against a nationally ranked Notre Dame program.
☘️ NOTRE DAME HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS
The Fighting Irish enter the Rice matchup carrying significant expectations.
Notre Dame climbed to No. 3 in the AP Top 25 after the opening week, putting even more pressure on the program to perform at a high level.
Head coach Marcus Freeman and his team cannot afford to overlook Rice.
Games like this are often judged not only by whether a highly favored team wins, but also by how it wins.
Notre Dame will want to start quickly, establish control at the line of scrimmage and avoid giving Rice any opportunity to build confidence.
A dominant opening quarter could make the rest of the afternoon much easier.
🦉 RICE HAS NOTHING TO LOSE
For Rice, the situation is completely different.
The Owls are walking into Notre Dame Stadium as significant underdogs, but that can remove some of the pressure.
Rice can play aggressively, take calculated risks and attempt to turn the game into a physical battle. Every successful third-down conversion, defensive stop or explosive offensive play could increase the pressure on the Irish.
The Owls are also coming off a victory over Houston Christian to begin their 2026 season, giving them momentum heading into the difficult road trip.
If Rice can remain competitive early, the game could become much more interesting than the pregame expectations suggest.
👀 PLAYERS AND STORYLINES TO WATCH
One of the biggest storylines will be Notre Dame quarterback C.J. Carr.
Carr enters the season as one of the central pieces of the Irish offense, and games like this provide an opportunity for him to build confidence and develop chemistry with Notre Dame’s receiving corps.
The Irish defense will also attract plenty of attention.
Notre Dame has aspirations that extend well beyond September, and the defense will need to demonstrate discipline against an opponent capable of exploiting mistakes.
For Rice, the priority will be creating pressure, forcing third downs and limiting Notre Dame’s explosive plays.
🔥 CAN RICE MAKE IT INTERESTING?
The biggest question may be how long Rice can stay within striking distance.
Notre Dame has the talent advantage at virtually every position, but football is rarely decided on paper.
If Rice can force an early turnover, capitalize in the red zone and keep the Irish offense off the field, the pressure could increase on Notre Dame.
But if the Fighting Irish establish control early, this could quickly become a comfortable home victory.
Either way, fans should expect a fascinating atmosphere as Notre Dame returns to its iconic home stadium.
📱 DON’T MISS THE HOME OPENER!
Make sure everything is ready before kickoff.
📺 NBC
💻 PEACOCK
📅 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2026
⏰ 3:30 P.M. ET / 2:30 P.M. CT
🏟️ NOTRE DAME STADIUM — SOUTH BEND
🏈 RICE OWLS vs. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
This is more than just another nonconference game.
It is Notre Dame’s 2026 home opener, the first meeting between these programs since 2014, and another opportunity for the Fighting Irish to show why they are among the nation’s most closely watched teams.
Rice will arrive hoping to create a massive upset.
Notre Dame will be looking to protect home turf and continue building momentum.
And with NBC carrying the game nationally and Peacock providing the streaming option, fans have multiple ways to follow every snap.
🔥 3:30 P.M. ET. NBC. PEACOCK. NOTRE DAME STADIUM.
☘️ NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH vs. RICE OWLS.
🏈🔥 THE HOME OPENER IS HERE — GET READY, TURN ON NBC OR PEACOCK, AND DON’T MISS A SINGLE SNAP! ❤️
