Notre Dame's football program maintains that it doesn't need to be in a conference. The Fighting Irish's 2026 football conference is further proof for why that is.
On Thursday, May 7, the Fighting Irish released part of their schedule for the 2026 season. Most of Notre Dame's games will air live on NBC. The Peacock network is airing four of Notre Dame's games in primetime slots on Saturday night.
The primetime slot on NBC on Saturday night, leading into "Saturday Night Live" in the fall, is a huge one.
Notre Dame already has four primetime games lined up for 2026.
Nov 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts after an Irish touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Notre Dame's four primetime games:
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Sept. 6 (Lambeau Field): Wisconsin, 7:30 p.m. ET
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Sept. 19: Michigan State, 7:30 p.m.
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Nov. 7: Miami, 7:30 p.m.
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Nov. 21: SMU, 7:30 p.m.
More could be coming, of course, depending on how the 2026 season shakes out.
Marcus Freeman thinks it's a simple conversation
Notre Dame's head coach thinks there are pluses and minuses to not being in a conference. He doesn't see the Fighting Irish joining one anytime soon.
"I think there’s advantages to being in a conference, and there’s advantages not being in a conference," Freeman said on 'Bussin With The Boys' last month. "There’s a lot of positive things that trust me, nobody was complaining about when we made the Playoffs the year before."
When Notre Dame is getting big money from NBC – and big-time primetime slots – it's tough to move elsewhere.
"We lost two games and didn’t make the Playoffs," Freeman added. "So, if our administration ever feels like we are truly at a competitive disadvantage by not being in a conference, I’m sure we’ll join a conference. But we just shouldn’t have lost two games. Simple as that."
This story was originally published by The Spun on May 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
