The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football stadium will host an international soccer friendly between Chelsea Football Club and Celtic Football Club on July 27. This event marks a unique transformation of the venue into a soccer field for the summer match.

The Big Picture

The decision to host a top-tier soccer friendly at the iconic football stadium highlights the growing trend of international clubs playing matches in non-traditional venues, expanding the global reach of the sport.

By the Numbers
  • Chelsea Football Club and Celtic Football Club will meet in an international friendly at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, July 27.
  • The game is part of separate American tours for both soccer clubs, with Chelsea based in London and Celtic in Glasgow, Scotland.
State of Play
  • Incoming athletic director Pete Bevacqua made the announcement at a press conference, signaling a major move as he prepares to take over from retiring Jack Swarbrick.
  • The Notre Dame baseball team boasts a strong non-conference record of 12-2 but struggles with a 0-6 record in the ACC, highlighting the team's challenges in conference play.
Bottom Line

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish stadium's hosting of an international soccer friendly signifies both a unique sporting event and a strategic choice to diversify the stadium's utility, reflecting the intersection of global sports and collegiate athletics in a dynamic and innovative manner.