Earlier this month, Notre Dame found itself needing to add a 12th game on the schedule after Georgia Tech backed out of its 2027 showdown with Marcus Freeman’s program. On Wednesday, the Fighting Irish learned who they'll play instead.
Virginia announced it was the 12th opponent on Notre Dame football’s pending 2027 schedule. The Cavaliers announced they will host the Irish at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va., on an undisclosed date in 2027.
Notre Dame previously had 12 opponents lined up for the 2027 season, but the Yellow Jackets announced earlier this month that it would no longer travel to Notre Dame during the 2027 season because of ACC scheduling adjustments.
Beginning in 2027, 16 of the ACC’s 17 teams will play a nine-game conference schedule, and all 17 programs will be required to play 10 Power 4 opponents.
Notre Dame football adds Virginia to 2027 schedule after Georgia Tech backs out
Notre Dame has long had a scheduling agreement with the ACC. However, there is obviously some flexibility to move and shift things around within the conference, as the Fighting Irish are only true members of the ACC in several other sports, including baseball and basketball.
Only a few dates on Notre Dame’s 2027 schedule remain undecided. When the Irish will kick off a home game against BYU is still up in the air, as are the road games against the Cavaliers and Duke. The Irish are currently slated to play six games in Notre Dame Stadium, five road games, and one neutral-site game in Charlotte, N.C., against Wake Forest.
Despite the agreement with the ACC in place since 2017, Notre Dame and Virginia haven’t faced each other often. The Irish have won all five contests. The first came in the 1989 Kickoff Classic in East Rutherford, N.J. The Irish made trips to Charlottesville in 2015 and 2021 and hosted the Cavaliers in 2019 and 2024. ND won the last meeting in 2024 by 35-14.
Compared with the last few years, Notre Dame swapping out Georgia Tech for a game next year is an upgrade to its schedule. The Cavs finished 11-3 and topped the ACC standings in the regular season. This year, they’re 3-1 and 1-0 in the conference, while Georgia Tech seems to have taken a step back with the departure of dual-threat quarterback Haynes King.
Add us as a preferred source on Google