Notre Dame Opens 2026 Season Against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, NBC and Peacock Broadcasts
The contest is part of Notre Dame’s annual Shamrock Series, a series of out‑of‑state games that the independent program uses to generate national interest. The game will be televised nationally on NBC and streamed live on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s subscription‑based over‑the‑top service. Fans who do not have a cable package can watch the game through Peacock, which offers two subscription tiers: Premium, priced at $12.99 per month and ad‑supported, and Premium Plus, priced at $19.99 per month and ad‑free. Peacock also offers annual plans—$129.99 for Premium and $199.99 for Premium Plus—which provide a 10‑month billing cycle for the price of 12 months.
Peacock is available through several distribution channels. The service can be added to Apple TV for a bundled price that starts at $14.99 per month, or it can be subscribed to via YouTube for $19.99 per month. While Peacock does not offer a standard free trial directly on its website, the Premium Plus tier is available through Amazon Prime Video with a seven‑day free trial. Subscribers who are eligible for the Prime Video trial can use it to watch the Notre Dame‑Wisconsin game without paying a full monthly fee.
Notre Dame enters the opener ranked fourth in the country after finishing the 2025 season with a 10‑2 record. The Fighting Irish won their last 10 games of the regular season following two opening‑week losses. Quarterback C.J. Carr returns to the field, and head coach Marcus Freeman is in his fifth season at the helm. The program’s national profile and recent success have made the game a focal point for the opening weekend.
Wisconsin, on the other hand, is looking to rebound from a 5‑7 record in 2025. The Badgers have made significant roster changes, bringing in more than 30 transfers, including quarterback Colton Joseph. Head coach Luke Fickell is hoping the new talent will help the team move in the right direction.
The choice of Lambeau Field adds a unique flavor to the matchup. The stadium, which opened in 1957 and has a capacity of 81,441, is the second‑largest NFL venue and the oldest continuously operating NFL stadium. It has hosted only two other college football games before this one, making the 2026 opener the third college contest to take place there.
The game will be the first for both teams in the 2026 season, setting the tone for the rest of the year. With Notre Dame’s high ranking and Wisconsin’s roster overhaul, the matchup is expected to be competitive and will provide an early test for both programs.
In summary, the Notre Dame‑Wisconsin game on September 6, 2026, will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock. Fans can watch the game on cable or through Peacock’s subscription plans, including the option of a Prime Video free trial for Premium Plus. The contest will take place at Lambeau Field, the third college football game in the stadium’s history, and will feature Notre Dame’s top‑ranked squad against a Wisconsin team that is rebuilding after a 5‑7 season.
The outcome of the game will influence early rankings and set the stage for both teams’ schedules. The next games for Notre Dame and Wisconsin will follow in the coming weeks, with each program looking to build momentum from this opening‑week contest.