University sports
Another legendary college football rivalry takes place at Gillette Stadium. The home of the Patriots will host the Navy-Notre Dame game on October 31, 2026, marking the primary time within the history of the 99-game series that it’s going to be played in New England.
“We are thrilled to host the 2026 Navy-Notre Dame game and welcome these two historic programs and their passionate fan bases to Gillette Stadium for the first time in this storied, century-long rivalry,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a press release Explanation. “We are honored that the Navy has chosen Gillette Stadium and our region to host the 99th edition of this historic game.”
In 2023, Gillette Stadium hosted the 124th Army-Navy game, which the Cadets won 17-11. Chet Gladchuk, the previous Boston College athletic director who now holds the identical role at Navy, said that given the “extraordinary efforts of the Kraft Group, the New England Patriots and the…” it was a logical decision to carry the Navy game and moving Notre Dame to Gillette “the entire New England area” in hosting last yr’s Army-Navy game.
“The Boston area is a great place to visit in the fall and I have no doubt that both Navy and Notre Dame fans will fill Gillette Stadium,” Gladchuk said.
The history of the Navy-Notre Dame game dates back to 1927. The series was the longest continuous intersectional rivalry in college football, played for 93 consecutive years from 1927 to 2019 before the 2020 game was canceled by COVID-19. The two teams recently met for the 97th game on October 26 at MetLife Stadium, which Notre Dame won 51-14.
“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 began, and Gillette Stadium has a long track record of successfully hosting major events, from the Army-Navy game to the upcoming FIFA World Cup.”
Notre Dame leads the series 83-13-1 and has won seven straight against the Midshipmen. Navy last defeated the Fighting Irish in 2016, 28-27 in Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to Dublin in 2023, Notre Dame and Navy have met across the United States, including Notre Dame Stadium (38 games), Baltimore (23), Cleveland (11), Philadelphia (nine), New Jersey (eight), Maryland (twice), San Diego, Orlando and Jacksonville.
Further details, including ticket sales information, shall be announced at a later date.
image credit : www.boston.com