Two prominent Catholic universities are taking their basketball programs overseas to launch the new season, with Notre Dame and Villanova scheduling both men’s and women’s games in Rome, Italy.
Set for November 1st, this collaborative event will feature more than just basketball, according to Villanova’s announcement. The university describes plans for “special programming that brings together academics, athletics and spirituality.”
Villanova President Rev. Peter Donohue emphasized the educational value of the trip, stating: “From academic engagement and cultural immersion to shared worship and athletics, this journey offers a profound opportunity to grow in mind, body and spirit.”
Both universities cite Pope Leo XIV, who was an Augustinian friar and Villanova graduate, as the driving force behind organizing these games in the Eternal City.
Participants traveling to Italy will experience several unique opportunities, including a shared Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, a scheduled papal audience with Pope Leo XIV prior to the games, and exclusive access to Vatican Museums tours.
Television coverage will bring the action to American audiences, with Fox broadcasting the men’s contest at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time, followed by the women’s game on FS1 at noon.
This international approach reflects a broader trend in college basketball as programs increasingly embrace global opportunities. The growth mirrors the sport’s expanding international presence – Final Four teams this past season included 23 players from foreign countries among their 62 total roster spots. Current NCAA statistics reveal that Division I programs now feature 888 international players, representing more than double the number from 2010.
Additional overseas competitions are being developed, with games planned for Croatia and Serbia in November through the newly established College Basketball International Series, a partnership between Intersport and Rochelle Management Group.
