The women’s college basketball season has arrived.
Notre Dame will face off against Villanova in the very first game of the 2026-27 season on Sunday, Nov. 1 at the Palazzo dello Sport in Rome, Italy.
It’s the first time a regular-season women’s college basketball game has been played in the country, and the game is part of a doubleheader with the men’s teams from both schools in an event called “the Eternal City Classic.” The basketball programs of two iconic Catholic institutions will play as part of a celebration for Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope elected to the papacy in 2025.
Led by All-American and reigning ACC Player of the Year Hannah Hidalgo — fresh off a trip to the Elite Eight in last year’s NCAA Tournament – Notre Dame is
ranked No. 13 in the preseason USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. Niele Ivey enters her seventh season at the helm of the Fighting Irish and bolstered her roster this season with Princeton transfer Madison St. Rose and a top recruiting class headlined by 6-foot-2 wing Jacy Abii.
Villanova is also coming off a strong season, going 25-8 and making their third trip to the NCAA Tournament under the direction of head coach Denise Dillon. The Wildcats — which received five votes in the preseason coaches poll — are led by two-time All-Big East selection Jasmine Bascoe, who averaged 18.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game last season while shooting 83.9% from the free-throw line. The 20-year-old guard has also featured for Canada’s senior national team.
Notre Dame vs. Villanova is the only women’s college basketball game scheduled for Sunday. The season gets underway in earnest on Monday with several top 25 teams in action, including two ranked matchups in Paris, France: No. 11 North Carolina vs. No. 21 Oklahoma, and No. 17 Maryland vs. No. 1 South Carolina.
Here’s everything to know about Notre Dame vs. Villanova:
What time does Notre Dame women’s basketball vs Villanova start?
The Fighting Irish and Wildcats will tip-off at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 1.
What TV channel is Notre Dame women’s basketball vs Villanova on?
The game between Notre Dame and Villanova will air live on FS1 on Sunday, Nov. 1.
Kevin Kugler will handle play-by-play duties alongside analyst Kim Adams.
Will there be a live stream of Notre Dame women’s basketball vs Villanova in Rome?
FS1 is available on cable. Subscribers to YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV or similar platforms can watch the game through those services.
What are the betting odds for Notre Dame vs Villanova women’s basketball?
The Fighting Irish are favored by 7.5 points, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. The over-under for points total between both teams is set at 142.5.
Who does Notre Dame women’s basketball play next?
Notre Dame will host Stonehill in South Bend, Indiana on Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed on ACCNX.
Who does Villanova women’s basketball play next?
Villanova will visit Princeton on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. ET. That game will air on SNY and NBC Sports Philadelphia.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to watch Notre Dame vs Villanova, the women’s college basketball season opener
