Villanova and Notre Dame Basketball Teams to Open Season with Rome Doubleheader
Villanova and Notre Dame men's and women's basketball teams are opening the college basketball season with a doubleheader in Rome following a papal audience.
Springfield Holyoke, MA, November 1, 2026 — Villanova University and the University of Notre Dame will mark the beginning of the upcoming college basketball season with a unique doubleheader event in Rome, Italy. The men’s and women’s basketball teams from both institutions are scheduled to compete in a joint event.
This significant matchup will take place in Rome, offering a distinctive international opening to the college basketball calendar. The event is planned to occur following a papal audience, connecting the athletic teams with a notable cultural and religious experience prior to their games.
Details regarding the specific dates for the doubleheader and the papal audience were not provided in the summary. The exact schedule of games, including which teams will play against each other in the doubleheader format, has also not been specified. Further information on the opponent for each team and the full itinerary is anticipated.
This initiative provides an opportunity for the student-athletes to engage in collegiate competition on an international stage, broadening their experience beyond typical domestic play. The event aims to celebrate the start of the new season with a memorable cultural immersion in one of the world’s historic cities.
Story summarized from the original created by ANDREW DAMPF, Associated Press on www.wwlp.com, see more information here.
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