Villanova and Notre Dame will start the 2026-27 college basketball season in Rome. The men’s and women’s teams from both universities will play a doubleheader in Italy on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, a day before the official start of the college basketball season. This marks what is believed to be the first regular season Division I basketball competition in Italy.
Key Takeaways
- Villanova and Notre Dame received a waiver from the NCAA to begin the 2026-27 season a day early, allowing them to participate in this historic event in Rome.
- Fox is slated to broadcast both games, with the men’s game leading into NFL coverage in the United States and the women’s game airing on Fox Sports 1.
- The games will be held at the Palazzetto dello Sport, a 3,500-seat arena that underwent renovations from 2018-2023 and is located roughly 30 minutes from Vatican City.
- The motivation for the overseas games is tied to Pope Leo XIV, with both universities having strong Catholic affiliations and connections to the Pope.
Why Rome? The Pope and College Hoops Collide
The decision to host the opening games in Rome is deeply rooted in the Catholic identities of both Villanova and Notre Dame. Robert Francis Prevost, a 1977 Villanova alumnus, now serves as Pope Leo XIV, strengthening the university’s connection to the Vatican. Notre Dame, recognized as a leading Catholic institution, also maintains a campus in Rome [https://rome.nd.edu/] furthering their ties. The Pope, an avid sports enthusiast with Chicago roots, adds another layer of intrigue, considering Chicago’s significant Notre Dame fan base. While the Pope’s direct involvement remains uncertain, both schools have engaged with the Holy See. Notre Dame’s president met privately with Pope Leo XIV in November [https://news.nd.edu/news/pope-leo-xiv-receives-notre-dame-leadership-in-private-audience/], and Villanova officials attended the Pope’s inaugural mass [https://6abc.com/post/villanova-officials-attending-pope-leo-xivs-inaugural-mass-vatican-city/16436142/] last May. This unique event presents an opportunity to combine athletics, education, and religious significance, offering students a memorable experience.
This isn’t the first time college basketball has ventured overseas. In the 2023-24 season, the women’s teams from Duke and Baylor opened their season in Paris. However, Villanova and Notre Dame’s matchup marks what is believed to be the first men’s Division I regular-season basketball competition ever held in Italy. The game will be played at the Palazzetto dello Sport [https://www.turismoroma.it/en/places/palatiziano-palazzetto-dello-sport], also known as PalaTiziano, a venue with a capacity of 3,500 that was originally built for the 1960 Rome Olympics.
How Will This Impact the Teams?
Beyond the spectacle, this trip represents a valuable opportunity for both the Villanova Wildcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. For Villanova, currently coached by Kevin Willard, it’s a chance to build on their storied basketball legacy, which includes three national titles and seven Final Four appearances [https://www.ncaa.com/history/basketball-men/d1]. Willard is 42-27 in his first two seasons as head coach. For Notre Dame and coach Niele Ivey, whose women’s program boasts two national titles and nine Final Fours, the game provides a platform to showcase their program’s strength and global appeal. Notre Dame finished the 2023-24 season with a 28-7 record and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.
Scheduling such an event requires significant coordination, and both universities have been working together for months to bring this ambitious idea to fruition. While paperwork is still being finalized, both schools are proceeding with the expectation that the games will take place as planned. “This is more than just a game; it’s an opportunity to broaden our players’ horizons and represent our university on an international stage,” said one source close to the Notre Dame program. The exposure on Fox, leading into NFL coverage, offers a significant boost in visibility for both programs. The women’s game airing on FS1 gives that program a spotlight of its own. While the basketball [https://www.ncaa.com/sports/basketball/mens] itself will be compelling, the educational and cultural aspects of the trip are equally important for the student-athletes.
Players/Teams Mentioned
- Villanova Wildcats: Three-time national champions, seven Final Four appearances. Kevin Willard is 42-27 in his first two seasons as head coach.
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Two-time national champions (women’s), nine Final Four appearances (women’s). Finished 2023-24 season with a 28-7 record.
- Pope Leo XIV: Villanova alumnus (1977), current Pope.
- Kevin Willard: Head coach of Villanova, 42-27 record in his first two seasons.
- Niele Ivey: Head coach of Notre Dame women’s basketball.
What This Means
- For Villanova fans: This game offers a unique opportunity to see their team compete on an international stage and supports a continued era of basketball excellence under coach Willard, who is looking to lead the Wildcats back to the NCAA Tournament after missing out in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
- For Notre Dame fans: It’s a chance to celebrate their women’s basketball program’s success and global reach, as the Fighting Irish continue to be a force in women’s college basketball, with odds to win the 2025 National Championship currently sitting at +2500.
- For college basketball fans: This event showcases the sport’s growing international appeal and provides an exciting early-season matchup between two prominent programs, offering a glimpse into the potential contenders for the 2027 NCAA Tournament.
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Source: www.cbssports.com
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