The annual rivalry matchup between Notre Dame and Southern California is back on − in the future.
The two schools announced Monday, Aug. 3, they will continue their storied football series with four scheduled games beginning in 2030 that brings back the battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh.
The renewal comes after the sides were unable to find an agreement to continue the matchup this season after Notre Dame defeated USC 34-24 last October. The series began in 1926 and has been played 96 times. There was disagreement over when the game should be played, as Yahoo Sports reported the two sides were near a deal to keep the series going before USC determined the dates were not ideal. A possible neutral site game with a Netflix deal was also discussed.
As a result, the teams aren't scheduled to face each other for the next four years in the regular season, marking the second interruption of the rivalry since World War II. Both coaches - USC's Lincoln Riley and Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman - have publicly stated they wanted the game to happen, but there hadn't been any new developments for much of 2026.
Now they get their wish, having to wait to play again in 2030 since Notre Dame's future schedules are mostly booked through 2029.
“USC’s historic rivalry with Notre Dame holds a special place in the history of college football, and we are happy to resume a series that means so much to the entire Trojan Family,” Southern California athletic director Jen Cohen said in a statement.
There will be a new twist in the series: it will take place early in the season.
The 2030 matchup will be in Los Angeles on Week 1 of the season on Aug. 31, 2030, marking the first time it will not be played in October, November or December. The 2031 game at Notre Dame will also be in Week 1 on Aug. 30, 2031.
The 2032 and 2033 games don't have official dates, but they will take place within the first three weeks of the respective season.
With the new agreement, USC gets its desire to play the game early in the season instead of in the middle of conference play or at the end of the regular season.
Notre Dame leads the all-time series 51–37–5 in a matchup that has featured a combined 24 national championships, 15 Heisman Trophies and more than 1,000 players picked in the NFL draft.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USC-Notre Dame agrees to continue college football rivalry in 2030
