Football
Razorbacks hosting Notre Dame for first time: Kickoff set for 11 a.m. on ABC
Arkansas will host Notre Dame for the first time ever in Fayetteville, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. on ABC
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas will make history this fall, welcoming the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for their first-ever meeting on the football field.
The highly anticipated game is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. and national broadcast coverage on ABC, making it the lead-in to a stacked day of college football action.
This matchup is more than just a date on the schedule. The game is a significant milestone for both programs.
The Razorbacks and Irish have never faced off before, and their inaugural contest comes at a time when both teams are eager to make a national statement.
“We’re excited to bring Notre Dame to Fayetteville and create a memorable experience for our fans,” the UA athletic department said in a statement. “It’s not just a game, it’s a weekend of events that will showcase the passion of Razorback Nation.”
The university is planning a weekend of festivities on The Hill, starting Friday, September 26, and running through game day.
Details are set to be announced later this summer, but fans can expect an atmosphere worthy of a historic occasion.
Television Spotlight and Historical Connections
This game also marks a return to prominence for Arkansas on ABC.
The Razorbacks will appear on the network in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1994-95, and it’s the first time games in Fayetteville have been televised on ABC in back-to-back seasons since the Lou Holtz era in 1979-80.
Holtz, a coaching legend, once led both Arkansas and Notre Dame, famously guiding the Irish to a national championship in 1988.
The SEC will again use flexible kickoff “windows” in 2025, but Arkansas’ clash with Notre Dame is one of the few games with a set time and network so far.
Other notable games on the Razorbacks’ schedule include an opener against Alabama A&M (Aug. 30, 3:15 p.m. on SEC Network), Arkansas State at War Memorial Stadium (Sept. 6, 4 p.m. on ESPN+/SECN+), and the SEC opener at Ole Miss (Sept. 13, 6 or 6:45 p.m. on ESPN/SECN).
Notre Dame’s 2025 Road Challenges
For Notre Dame, this trip is one of two high-profile SEC matchups in 2025. They’ll also host Texas A&M earlier in the season.
Irish coach Marcus Freeman, coming off a strong 2024, will look to add a signature road win to his résumé.
“We respect the tradition at Arkansas and know their fans will make it a tough environment,” Freeman said in spring previews.
The Irish’s schedule is no cakewalk: after opening at Miami, they’ll face Purdue, Boise State, and a stretch of ACC and traditional rivals. The Arkansas game stands out as a rare regular-season SEC road test for the independent Irish.
What This Game Means
Both programs have storied histories, but this game represents something new.
For Arkansas, it’s a chance to stake its claim on the national stage and attract recruits with a high-profile home schedule.
For Notre Dame, it’s another test in a season filled with them and a reminder of the program’s willingness to challenge itself far from home.
Tickets are expected to sell quickly once released, and fans from both sides are already marking their calendars.
While the result won’t shape either team’s entire season, the significance of this first meeting – and the energy surrounding it – will be hard to match.
