Eternal City Tip-Off: Villanova and Notre Dame Basketball Teams Set to Make History in Rome
The Villanova and Notre Dame men's and women's basketball teams are gearing up for an extraordinary season opener in Rome. The teams will face off in the "Eternal City Tip-Off" on November 1, marking the first men's international season opener and the first Division I basketball game in Italy. The NCAA approved this special event to kick off the 2026-27 season a day early.
The unique location of the game is tied to Pope Leo XIV, an American-born sports enthusiast and Villanova alumnus. The Pope, who resides in Vatican City, plans to meet with the teams during their visit. His connection to both universities, Villanova and Notre Dame, inspired the Eternal City Tip-Off.
The games will take place at the Palazzetto dello Sport Arena, near the Vatican, with a capacity of approximately 3,500 fans. The Villanova men's team boasts seven Final Four appearances and three national titles, while the Notre Dame women's team, led by coach Niele Ivey, has also secured three national titles.
This event will be the second time in four seasons that the Notre Dame women's team competes abroad, following their game in Paris in 2023. The men's teams will face each other for the first time since 2016, with the game airing on FOX, leading into the network's NFL coverage. The women's game will be broadcast on FS1, marking their first matchup since 2018.
In conclusion, the upcoming Eternal City Tip-Off in Rome promises to be a historic and exciting start to the 2026-27 basketball season, bringing together two prestigious Catholic universities on an international stage.