The University of Notre Dame and the University of Southern California are working to restore their historic football rivalry, though fans may have to wait until 2030 to see the teams clash again, according to a Monday report from the Los Angeles Times.
The Fighting Irish and Trojans announced in December that their 2026 matchup was canceled, putting a temporary halt to a storied rivalry that first began in 1925.
Sources close to the negotiations told the Times they remain hopeful that both universities will reach a new agreement.
According to the report, Notre Dame has shown willingness to schedule the USC game earlier in the football season, which had been a major sticking point in previous discussions. USC had pushed for moving the game date to align with their other non-conference games, while Notre Dame preferred maintaining the traditional late-season timing that has defined the rivalry.
Near the conclusion of the 2025 season, both schools appeared close to striking a deal, with USC ready to accept keeping the game in its customary late-season position for the following two years. However, USC officials were unaware that Notre Dame had secured a special arrangement with the College Football Playoff guaranteeing them a playoff spot if they finished in the top 12 of the final rankings, the Times reported.
This revelation prompted USC to withdraw their proposal, though athletic director Jennifer Cohen made one final attempt with a December counteroffer. Notre Dame rejected this last proposal and subsequently announced a new home-and-home agreement with BYU to fill USC’s former spot.
“The fact is very, very clear, and this can all be settled very quickly — had Notre Dame lived up to their word and played us anytime, anywhere, we would be playing them the next two years and looking ahead after that and hopefully continuing the series,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said following a bowl game defeat in December. “They did not follow through on it. Thus, we are not playing them the next couple years.”
