The Wisconsin Badgers are set to kick off the 2026 season in style, with a highly anticipated primetime showdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the iconic Lambeau Field. The game, scheduled for Sunday, September 6th, will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on NBC and Peacock.

This marks the third consecutive season that Wisconsin opens with a night game, following matchups against Miami (OH) and Western Michigan. However, this year's opponent brings a whole new level of excitement. The Badgers and Fighting Irish haven't faced off since 2021, when they met at Soldier Field in Chicago. Now, they'll renew their rivalry at one of the most storied venues in football.

Lambeau Field holds special memories for Wisconsin fans. The last time the Badgers played there was in 2016, when they stunned No. 5 LSU with a last-second field goal. That kind of magic is exactly what head coach Luke Fickell and his team hope to recapture as they take on a Notre Dame squad that could be ranked in the preseason top 25.

Originally scheduled for the 2020 season, this matchup was postponed due to the pandemic. Now, after a long wait, the two programs will finally meet in a game that promises to be one of the most exciting openers in college football. For Wisconsin, it's a chance to make an early statement against a marquee opponent, all under the bright lights of primetime.