Next season, one of Notre Dame’s best home games won’t air on national television.

One of Notre Dame’s Best Home Games Next Season Will Not Be on National TV

For generations, Notre Dame football has been synonymous with national exposure. From the golden helmets to the storied rivalries, few programs can match the visibility and pageantry of the Fighting Irish on fall Saturdays. That’s why it came as a surprise to many fans when news broke that one of Notre Dame’s premier home games in the 2025 season will not air on national television.

The matchup in question? Notre Dame vs. Louisville, a contest featuring two top-25 programs with College Football Playoff ambitions, scheduled to take place under the lights at Notre Dame Stadium in mid-October. And while the energy around the game is still expected to be electric, its broadcast placement has left fans, alumni, and analysts scratching their heads.

A Prime Matchup, an Odd Broadcast Decision

Louisville, coming off a strong 2024 season under Jeff Brohm, returns a veteran squad led by dual-threat quarterback Pierce Clarkson and a ferocious defense. Notre Dame, meanwhile, is expected to be in playoff contention under Marcus Freeman, with an experienced roster and one of the strongest defensive lines in the country.

The matchup checks all the boxes: ranked teams, potential playoff implications, passionate fanbases, and a primetime kickoff in South Bend. But instead of airing on a major network like NBC or ABC, the game is reportedly set to be broadcast exclusively on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming platform.

The Streaming Dilemma

Notre Dame’s exclusive broadcast partnership with NBC, now in its fourth decade, has evolved in recent years with the rise of streaming. In 2021, the university and NBC announced that one game per season would air solely on Peacock as part of a broader digital strategy. While that decision initially raised concerns among traditional viewers, it was largely accepted when applied to non-marquee matchups, like the 2021 game vs. Toledo or 2023’s game against Central Michigan.

This time, however, the move feels different. Louisville is a legitimate threat. The game could have major postseason ramifications. And fans are wondering why such a pivotal matchup won’t be accessible on national television.

“This isn’t a throwaway game,” one Notre Dame fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “This is one of our biggest home games of the year. Why are we putting this behind a paywall?”

NBC’s Perspective

From NBC’s point of view, the decision is strategic. Peacock has steadily grown its sports portfolio in recent years, including exclusive Premier League matches, NFL games, and coverage of the Olympics. Adding a high-profile Notre Dame game to the platform is designed to drive subscriptions and increase viewership during the heart of the college football season.

“The reality is that streaming is the future of sports media,” said NBC Sports executive Mark Lazarus in a recent interview. “We’re investing in Peacock as a premier destination for sports fans, and Notre Dame remains a centerpiece of that strategy.”

NBC is betting that Notre Dame fans, known for their loyalty, will follow the team wherever the games are shown. But the move still raises concerns about accessibility—especially for older alumni, casual viewers, and fans without robust internet access.

Fan Backlash and Frustration

The reaction online was swift. Hashtags like #LetUsWatchND and #NotreDameOnTV trended regionally after the announcement. While many fans understand the business rationale, the sentiment is clear: a top-tier Notre Dame game deserves a national platform.

“This isn’t just about convenience,” said longtime fan Michael Dailey of Fort Wayne, Indiana. “My parents are in their seventies. They’ve watched every home game on TV for decades. They don’t stream. They shouldn’t have to learn now just to watch their team.”

Notre Dame’s decision-makers have long walked a delicate line between embracing tradition and adapting to modern media. The school’s willingness to agree to a streaming-only option for a high-stakes game may signal a turning point in that balance.

The Recruiting Impact

There are also questions about the potential impact on recruiting visibility. While Notre Dame remains a blue-blood program with a national brand, part of what has always made it appealing to prospects and their families is the consistent presence on national television.

“If I’m a kid in California or Georgia, and I want to watch Notre Dame play a ranked opponent, I don’t want to have to jump through hoops,” said 247Sports recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong. “It’s a small thing, but it adds up.”

While recruits will still see highlights, social media clips, and coverage after the game, there’s no substitute for a primetime national TV window—especially when competing for attention with other major programs that may be playing on ABC or CBS at the same time.

What Notre Dame Gains

Still, Notre Dame does benefit from its streaming exposure. As a partner in the media strategy, the university receives significant financial compensation from NBC and has a say in how games are distributed. With the college football landscape rapidly shifting toward direct-to-consumer models, Notre Dame is hedging its bets on a future where streaming becomes the norm rather than the exception.

In a statement, Notre Dame’s athletic department emphasized the importance of accessibility and encouraged fans to “embrace new platforms that enhance the viewing experience.” They also noted that in-person attendance remains a priority—and that the Louisville game is expected to be a sellout.

Looking Ahead

Notre Dame has long prided itself on tradition, but in this case, modern media trends are winning out. The school’s decision to allow a major home game to air exclusively on Peacock may be just the beginning of a larger shift in how college football is consumed in the next decade.

For fans who’ve grown up hearing that “Notre Dame is always on TV,” the adjustment may be frustrating—but it’s likely a glimpse into the sport’s future.

As kickoff approaches, the spotlight will still shine on Notre Dame Stadium. But if you want to see it, you’ll need to stream it.