Notre Dame returns to West Lafayette on September 26, 2026, to face Purdue in one of the longest-running series in college football. The two programs first met in 1896, and their matchup has been a foundational part of Notre Dame’s early history. Since 1957, the winner has been awarded the Shillelagh Trophy, adding a tangible prize to a rivalry rooted in geographic proximity and more than a century of competition.

Notre Dame leads the all-time series against Purdue, 59-26-2. The most recent meeting came during the 2025 season, when the Irish defeated the Boilermakers 56-30 at Notre Dame Stadium. That game continued a modern trend of success for Notre Dame while reinforcing the significance of a rivalry that has spanned generations. The 2026 meeting offers another opportunity to compete for the Shillelagh and extend a series that remains one of the most historically important on Notre Dame’s schedule.