Fan Field Guide
College Football event guide

Notre Dame vs USC

South Bend years sell out hotels within a 40-mile radius. Chicago is 90 minutes away by car and the more reliable base.

Fan Field Guide Editorial Team / Editorial · Updated August 2026

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The basics

What this event actually is

When

October, alternating between South Bend and Los Angeles

Where

Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana

Coverage

National broadcast windows, with the time set roughly two weeks ahead

Planning

How to plan the trip

The order that saves the most money and the most stress.

  • Lock the date first. Kickoff windows move, dates rarely do.
  • Book refundable lodging before buying tickets, because rooms sell out faster than seats.
  • Compare seat locations, not just price. Shade, wind and aisle access matter more than a few rows.
  • Confirm the venue bag policy and payment rules before you leave the hotel.
  • Plan the exit. Rideshare pickup zones are usually several blocks from the gates.
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The venue

Notre Dame Stadium

Capacity 77,622Opened 1930Notre Dame, Indiana

A brick bowl expanded around its original 1930 footprint, ringed by campus buildings.

  • Bench seating with no backs is standard. A stadium seat is a real upgrade.
  • Arrive two hours early to see the band march from the Golden Dome.
Teams

Programs involved

Watching

If you are staying home

National broadcast windows, with the time set roughly two weeks ahead. Our conference viewing guide breaks down which package carries which window, including the streaming options that cover games not on national television.

How to watch guide