Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame, Indiana
Game day guideCollege Football event guide
Notre Dame vs USC
South Bend is compact and walkable, but October weather turns cold after dark. In Los Angeles, traffic is the only real enemy.
Fan Field Guide Editorial Team / Editorial · Updated August 2026
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The basics
What this event actually is
When
Mid-October in South Bend, late November in Los Angeles
Where
Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana
Coverage
National primetime window
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.
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
USC Trojans
Los Angeles, California
Game day guideWatching
If you are staying home
National primetime window. 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