Notre Dame-Clemson Deal Signals New Era of Rivalry and Ratings
Clemson and Notre Dame have just shaken hands on a huge move for college football: a 12-year agreement that locks in an annual matchup between these two powerhouse programs through 2038. If you’re a fan of big-time college football, you’re going to want to circle these games on your calendar for the next decade-plus.
Why This Clemson-Notre Dame Deal Matters
These teams may have only played eight times before, but when they do meet, sparks fly. Think back to 2015, when Clemson edged out Notre Dame in a rain-drenched thriller — a game that helped launch Clemson’s march to its first College Football Playoff appearance. Or 2018, when Clemson crushed Notre Dame 30-3 in the Cotton Bowl and then went on to win the national championship. Even in 2020, when the Irish briefly joined the ACC during the pandemic, their regular-season win over Clemson was followed by a Clemson revenge victory in the ACC title game. Every time they meet, something big is on the line.
Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua summed it up: “It’s been such a great rivalry, and we want to see it happen every year. Historically, it’s been a great back-and-forth. I think we could see it continue to develop into one of the great rivalries in college football.”
Playoff Stakes and Big-Brand Benefits
This deal isn’t just about creating a fun rivalry; it’s about positioning both programs for success in the playoff era. Notre Dame, as an independent, needs high-profile games to strengthen its playoff résumé, and Clemson gives them exactly that. Meanwhile, Clemson knows that a regular matchup with one of college football’s most famous brands boosts TV ratings, which has become a major factor in how ACC revenue is divided.
Clemson athletic director Graham Neff said it plainly: “The association of national brands like Clemson and Notre Dame creates a great fan experience, strong viewership, and value on that is obviously a fundamental component.”
Scheduling Around a Packed Football World
It’s no secret that fitting a new annual game into an already packed schedule isn’t simple. Clemson has regular rivalry games with South Carolina, plus big non-conference series lined up against LSU, Georgia, and Oklahoma in the coming years. There’s also the looming possibility of the SEC shifting to a nine-game conference slate, which could squeeze out some future non-conference games. But insiders say the Clemson-South Carolina rivalry isn’t in danger, and the Clemson-Notre Dame deal has been crafted to fit around those commitments.
For Notre Dame, the agreement slides into their existing requirement to play at least five ACC opponents each season. The new annual games against Clemson will count toward that total, ensuring that Notre Dame’s schedule remains packed with strong competition.
ACC’s Big Picture: More Heavyweight Matchups
The ACC, meanwhile, is looking at the bigger picture. With the SEC and Big Ten gobbling up top TV slots, the ACC knows it needs to put its biggest brands on display. Florida State athletic director Michael Alford is fully on board, saying, “Today in college football, more than ever, it’s important for strong brands to play strong brands. That helps our brand, as well as all of us within the conference.”
Miami’s athletic director Dan Radakovich, who knows a thing or two about big-time football, added, “The brands need to play each other more. That’s what has to happen.” He pointed to the legendary “Catholics vs. Convicts” history between Miami and Notre Dame as an example of how great matchups shape fan excitement and national attention.
What Fans Can Expect
For fans, this deal is a dream. Every year, whether it’s in Death Valley or South Bend, we’re guaranteed a marquee non-conference showdown that could have playoff implications. The passion, the pageantry, the national attention — it’s the kind of game that makes college football Saturdays unforgettable.
TV networks are surely thrilled, too. In a media landscape where live sports are king, having locked-in, high-profile matchups year after year is pure gold. It’s a win for the schools, the ACC, and every fan watching at home.
Lining Up the Future Games
Clemson and Notre Dame were already scheduled to face each other in 2027, 2028, 2031, 2034, and 2037. Now, thanks to this agreement, we’ll get those games plus new matchups every season in between. It’s a long-term commitment that signals both schools are serious about maintaining elite status on the national stage.
The scheduling teams at both schools had to work hard to make this happen, given all the existing commitments and potential future shifts in conference alignments. But the payoff — consistent, high-stakes football — makes the effort worthwhile.
Source: Clemson, Notre Dame to announce 12-year scheduling agreement
A Sign of the Times in College Football
This deal is part of a broader trend in college football. As the sport becomes more media-driven and the playoff field expands, top programs are realizing they can’t afford to stack their schedules with easy wins. Instead, they need resume-building games that prove their strength and attract national attention.
Clemson and Notre Dame are making sure they stay at the center of the conversation. These annual games will help both programs stay sharp, attract top recruits, and stay in the playoff hunt year after year.
The Bottom Line: Everybody Wins
In the end, this 12-year scheduling agreement is a victory across the board. Clemson gets a marquee non-conference game every year. Notre Dame locks in a tough opponent that strengthens its playoff chances. The ACC gets a high-value product to pitch to media partners. And college football fans get one more big game to look forward to every season.
As Clemson’s Graham Neff put it, “This locks in a huge rivalry for us with a non-conference opponent that’s going to be strong year in and year out.” For the Irish, it’s another step toward building a schedule that commands respect.
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