Main Story: Villanova and Notre Dame are opening the 2026-27 men’s and women’s college basketball seasons in Rome, in an event shaped by Villanova graduate Pope Leo XIV and the university’s Augustinian ties. The trip pairs games with Vatican events and cultural experiences, turning a season opener into a rare meeting of sports, faith and history.

By the Numbers
  • 4 teams — Villanova and Notre Dame men’s and women’s programs — are taking part.
  • The men’s game tips off at 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday on FOX; the women’s game follows on FS1.
Yes, But

Organizers spent nearly 18 months navigating Vatican coordination, event logistics and NCAA waivers for a season-opening game outside the usual calendar. The scale and cost make repeating the event challenging, even as organizers hope it can inspire more overseas openers.

State of Play
  • The teams are in Rome for games, a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and a scheduled audience with Pope Leo.
  • The itinerary also includes cultural activities, fan events and a sports-and-spirituality presentation.
What’s Next

The games will test whether a major college basketball event in Rome can become a repeatable format. Organizers are optimistic about future overseas openers, though securing another Vatican-centered event may be difficult.

Bottom Line

This is more than a high-profile season opener: Villanova’s connection to Pope Leo gives the Rome trip a distinctive blend of sport, faith and institutional history that may be hard to recreate.