USC, Notre Dame Cancel 2026 Rivalry Game After 96 Meetings as Week 0 Talks Collapse
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 29
USC, Notre Dame Cancel 2026 Rivalry Game After 96 Meetings as Week 0 Talks Collapse
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 29
Summary
The Jeweled Shillelagh rivalry will not be played in 2026, ending a run that has produced 96 games over roughly 100 years.
Week 0 became the breaking point: USC wanted to move the game from its usual late-season slot, while Notre Dame refused despite Marcus Freeman's earlier pledge to play USC "anytime, anywhere."
Lincoln Riley said USC still wanted the game and suggested Notre Dame did not follow through on prior assurances; Freeman later said shifting a likely Week 12 game to Week 0 was not best for the program.
The cancellation underscores how the expanded playoff and conference realignment have reduced incentives for marquee non-conference games, especially for independents like Notre Dame that can protect playoff positioning with lighter schedules.