Notre Dame Football Returns to College Football Playoff in 2024

For the first time since 2020, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have secured a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP), marking a significant milestone in the program’s storied history. The team, seeded No. 7 in the 12-team playoff format, will face a challenging 2024 schedule as they aim for their first national championship since 1988.

Notre Dame finished the 2023 season with a 10-3 record, including a dominant 40-8 victory over No. 19 Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. Despite a midseason loss to unranked Clemson, the Fighting Irish remained in the AP Top 25 throughout the year, showcasing their resilience under head coach Marcus Freeman.

The 2024 season kicks off on Aug. 31 with a high-profile matchup against Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. Key games include a Sept. 7 home opener against Purdue, a Sept. 28 clash with Miami, and a Nov. 23 showdown against Army at Yankee Stadium in New York. The regular season concludes on Nov. 30 with a trip to Los Angeles to face USC.

The expanded 12-team CFP format, debuting in 2024, offers Notre Dame a clearer path to the national championship. The first round begins on Dec. 20, with quarterfinals at the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Sugar Bowl. The semifinals will take place at the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl, culminating in the national championship game on Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta.

Notre Dame’s return to the playoff highlights the program’s enduring legacy, which includes 11 national championships and over 900 wins. With a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent, the Fighting Irish are poised to make a deep postseason run.