Notre Dame and USC Set to Resume Historic Rivalry Series in 2030
By TopHolding Editorial · Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 7:01 AM
Notre Dame and USC will resume their historic rivalry in 2030, even as legislative changes and conference shifts reshape the college sports landscape.
One of college football’s most storied rivalries is set for a temporary hiatus before returning in the next decade. Notre Dame and USC announced on Monday that they will resume their home-and-home series in 2030, agreeing to a four-year deal that ensures the rivalry continues after a scheduled break in 2026.
The decision to pause the series in 2026 was necessitated by scheduling conflicts and the shifting landscape of conference realignments. However, both athletic departments emphasized the historical importance of the "Jeweled Shillelagh" trophy. The 2030 resumption is expected to be a major broadcast event, potentially coinciding with new playoff formats.
While the USC-Notre Dame series is being preserved, other traditional matchups are falling victim to the new era of the sport. Indiana and Notre Dame recently canceled their future home-and-home series, leaving the Hoosiers with zero Power Four non-conference opponents on their upcoming schedule.
On the legislative front, Senator Ted Cruz predicted the imminent passage of the "Protect College Sports Act." Cruz envisions President Trump signing the bill during the 2026 football season, which would establish a national standard for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights and provide a degree of antitrust protection for the NCAA. The bill has received public support from both the Big Ten and SEC, though it still faces procedural hurdles in the Senate.