Villanova, Notre Dame Open Season in Rome

Villanova and Notre Dame men’s and women’s basketball teams will open their 2026-27 seasons with games in Rome on Sunday. The matchup, named the Eternal City Tip-Off, marks the start of the college basketball year for both Catholic universities.

The event honors Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, who was born in Chicago. On Saturday, Leo received all four teams in an audience at the Vatican. He told the players and coaches from his alma mater and Notre Dame that he remains neutral in sports matters. Then he added that his former self, Robert Prevost, might hold a different view. The remark drew laughter from the 7,000 attendees, which included players, coaches, fans, and family members in the audience hall.

The games will take place at the 11,000-seat Palazzo dello Sport, located roughly 30 minutes from the Vatican. Pope Leo, who underwent lung cancer surgery last month, is not expected to attend the games. However, a group of cardinals and other Vatican officials is expected to be present at the arena. Team chaplains from both schools also traveled to Rome.

The men’s game begins at 3:30 p.m. local time, which is 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Fox will broadcast the contest with Bill Raftery serving as the analyst. The women’s game follows at 6 p.m. local time, or noon Eastern Time, on FS1. Notre Dame is the only ranked team playing on Sunday, holding the No. 13 spot in the current rankings.