Navy and Notre Dame to Play at Gillette Stadium in 2026

Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, will host the annual Navy-Notre Dame game on October 31, 2026, the first time the game has been played in New England in the rivalry’s 99-game series history.

The history of the Navy-Notre Dame game dates to 1927. The series was the longest continuous intersectional rivalry in college football, playing 93 consecutive years from 1927-2019, before the 2020 game was canceled because of the pandemic. The two teams recently squared off in a ranked matchup at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on October 26.

“Hosting the prestigious Navy-Notre Dame game for the first time is an incredible opportunity to showcase our destination as we welcome football fans and the Navy and Notre Dame communities to Massachusetts,” said Martha Sheridan, president and chief executive officer of Meet Boston. “Our sports teams and spirited rivalries are integral parts of the fabric of our region. Having this iconic college football game here in the Commonwealth in the midst of a quintessential New England fall will be an incredible economic driver for our visitor economy and the entire region.”

The matchup will be the Fighting Irish’s first time at Gillette Stadium and the Midshipmen’s second appearance after competing there for the 2023 Army-Navy Game. Navy will be the home team for the 2026 game.

“The extraordinary effort put forth by the Kraft Group, the New England Patriots and the entire New England area for the 2023 Army-Navy Game made it logical to bring back another great rivalry,” said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk.

“We are honored that Navy has chosen Gillette Stadium and our region as the host for the 99th playing of this game steeped in tradition,” said New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft. “New England has a deep appreciation for competition at the highest level and the sacrifices and cohesive teamwork that reaching such heights requires. The Midshipmen and Fighting Irish epitomize this and we look forward to welcoming one of the gridiron’s greatest rivalries to Gillette Stadium in 2026.”