Notre Dame MBB announces 2025-26 non-conference schedule

A critical season of Notre Dame men’s basketball for head coach Micah Shrewsberry will begin on November 3.

The Irish announced Wednesday their non-conference schedule for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Notre Dame will attempt to secure its first winning record in a season since 2021-22 under former head coach Mike Brey. The Irish finished Shrewsberry’s first two seasons at Notre Dame at 13-20 and 15-18, respectively. That followed an ugly 11-21 record in Brey’s final season.

Notre Dame’s quest for a winning season will start with home games against LIU Brooklyn (Nov. 3), Detroit Mercy (Nov. 7) and Eastern Illinois (Nov. 11). Those will follow a pair of exhibition games against Butler (on the road on Oct. 17) and DePaul (at home on Oct. 24).

Notable Notre Dame home games

Notre Dame will play in Purcell Pavilion against just one non-conference opponent from a power conference. Missouri, which finished 22-12 last season with a first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament, will visit the Irish on Dec. 2 as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. The Irish, who are 2-7 against Missouri spanning back to 1980, have yet to win against an SEC opponent in the annual challenge that began in 2023.

The Irish will also host Bellarmine (Nov. 19), Idaho (Dec. 10), Evansville (Dec. 13) and Purdue Fort Wayne (Dec. 21).

Related: Three takeaways from Micah Shrewsberry’s first summer update

Notre Dame’s non-conference schedule includes just two true road games. The first road non-conference game will be played at Ohio State on Nov. 16. The Buckeyes, who finished 17-15 last season, will complete a home-and-home with the Irish next season. Notre Dame has lost its last three games against Ohio State in 2008, 2013 and 2020.

Notre Dame will also play at TCU on Dec. 5. The Horned Frogs finished 16-16 last season with a loss in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament.

Notre Dame to return to Las Vegas

Notre Dame will play in the second annual Players Era Festival in Las Vegas again this season. The Irish lost all three games at the event, which provides NIL money for participants, last season. Notre Dame will take on Kansas (Nov. 24), Rutgers (Nov. 25) and a third opponent determined by results (Nov. 26 or 27) during Thanksgiving week at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“It’s a great event,” Shrewsberry said Tuesday of the Players Era Festival. “I actually love it selfishly, because it’s in one place. It’s in one building. You just ride down the elevator and walk to the gym. It’s actually an unbelievable place for fans.

“Playing that week of Thanksgiving, there’s an unbelievable amount of really good teams. It’s like a mini-NCAA tournament. We get a chance to test ourselves and see how we stack up early in the season. But it’s also fun for fans to go, because you get to see so many great teams out there, including the Irish.”

The ACC previously announced Notre Dame’s conference opponents for the 2025-26 season but dates have not yet been released. The Irish will play every ACC team except Wake Forest during the regular season.

*This story has been updated following a correction released by Notre Dame on the date of the Ohio State game.

2025-26 non-conference schedule for Notre Dame men’s basketball

Oct. 17: at Butler (exhibition)

Oct. 24: vs. DePaul (exhibition)

Nov. 3: vs. LIU Brooklyn

Nov. 7: vs. Detroit Mercy

Nov. 11: vs. Eastern Illinois

Nov. 16: at Ohio State

Nov. 19: vs. Bellarmine

Nov. 24: vs. Kansas (Players Era Festival in Las Vegas)

Nov. 25: vs. Rutgers (Players Era Festival in Las Vegas)

Nov. 26/27: vs. TBD (Players Era Festival in Las Vegas)

Dec. 2: vs. Missouri (ACC/SEC Challenge)

Dec. 5: at TCU

Dec. 10: vs. Idaho

Dec. 13: vs. Evansville

Dec. 21 vs. Purdue Fort Wayne