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Wisconsin opens its 2026 season Sunday night in one of the most-watched Week 1 games, facing No. 4 Notre Dame at Lambeau Field. The showdown gives the Badgers a national platform to reset after a disappointing year and offers coach Luke Fickell a chance for a signature victory.
Broadcast and streaming info
- Matchup: Wisconsin (0-0, 0-0 B1G) vs. Notre Dame (0-0)
- When: Sunday, Sept. 6 — 6:30 p.m. CDT
- Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- TV: NBC — Stream: Peacock
- Radio: Badger Sports Radio Network
- TV talent: Dan Hicks (play-by-play), Jason Garrett (analyst), Carolina Pineda (sideline)
- Radio talent: Matt Lepay (play-by-play), Mark Tauscher (analyst), Patrick Herb (sideline)
- Odds: Notre Dame -20.5 | O/U 46.5 (FanDuel Sportsbook)
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Head-to-head background
Notre Dame holds the edge in the all-time series, leading 9-6-2. This meeting will be the first between the programs in Green Bay.
The Irish arrive with a two-game winning streak in the matchup. The teams last met on Sept. 25, 2021, at Soldier Field, when No. 12 Notre Dame beat No. 18 Wisconsin, 41-13.
Why this game matters
For Wisconsin, the opener is more than a Week 1 test: it’s a public gauge of progress after what the program described as its worst season since the presidency of George H. W. Bush. A strong performance against a top opponent would shift national perceptions quickly.
Notre Dame comes in as a heavy favorite and one of the preseason national-title contenders. The Irish were widely regarded as having one of the sport’s deepest rosters and arrived at this season with motivation after being left out of the College Football Playoff despite a 10-2 record last year.
Coach Luke Fickell is looking for a landmark win that could define his tenure. Conversely, Notre Dame will aim to validate its high ranking early and silence any lingering doubts from last season’s playoff snub.
Atmosphere and recent Lambeau history
Although the game is officially a Notre Dame home date in the Shamrock Series, organizers and both fan bases expect a lively, partisan crowd at the iconic stadium. Lambeau has been a favorable site for memorable upsets for the Badgers; the last time Wisconsin played there they stunned No. 5 LSU, 16-14, en route to an 11-3 season that ended with a New Year’s Six bowl victory.
What to watch during the game
Keep an eye on whether Wisconsin can control the line of scrimmage early and limit explosive plays from Notre Dame. Special teams and turnovers could swing momentum quickly in a game where expectations heavily favor the Irish.
