Your Notre Dame vs. Michigan State Weekend Guide
Rockne Bash Friday night, kickoff Saturday at 7:30, tailgates on Colfax and a free hockey scrimmage to close it out. Here is the whole weekend, hour by hour.
Michiana On Tap Staff
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Notre Dame hosts Michigan State under the lights this Saturday, and the weekend around it is stacked. Everything below is on the calendar with dates and times confirmed by the organizers; tap any event for details and directions.
Friday, September 18
11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Football Fridays at the Eck. Live music and tailgate food at the Eck Visitors Center on campus. It is the easy way to soak up game weekend without a ticket.
6:30 p.m.: Rockne Bash. The pre-game celebration at Notre Dame Stadium the night before kickoff. Plan on it running late.
Saturday, September 19
3:30 p.m.: Game Day Festivities: Medieval Combat and Swordsmithing. The Medieval Institute hosts a tailgate on the West Lawn of McCourtney Hall with armored combat and a working swordsmith. Only at Notre Dame.
4 to 8 p.m.: College Football Tailgate at Manny's. Manny's on East Colfax runs a tailgate for the college slate leading into the night game.
7 p.m.: Touchdown at Cheers. No ticket? Cheers Bar and Grill on South Dixie Way has the game on six screens. Note this one is listed as 21+.
7:30 p.m.: Notre Dame Football vs. Michigan State. Kickoff at Notre Dame Stadium.
Sunday, September 20
7 p.m.: Notre Dame Hockey Blue and Gold Scrimmage. A free preseason scrimmage at Compton Family Ice Arena with an autograph session afterward. A good way to end the weekend with the family.
Before you go
Night games mean heavier traffic into campus late in the afternoon. Give yourself extra time, and check each event page for the latest details from the organizer.
Top photo: University of Notre Dame Stadium by Cdnd via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
