No surprise here, Touchdown Jesus slips in at No. 18. Notre Dame needs no introduction as South Bend consistently delivers one of the best game day experiences in college football, even in the modern era where the program has taken its lumps in recent years.
Walking through Notre Dame’s campus is a sight reserved for college football purists. While there are lots of great parties on this list, UND can be appreciated without the bells and whistles.
But one thing fans can always count on: Notre Dame always has a list of heavy hitters in their schedule. Nine Power Five opponents await the Irish in 2017 with Georgia, USC and Navy making the trip to South Bend. NC State and Wake Forest dot the home schedule as well, so there are plenty of chances to see a good game at Notre Dame Stadium. And since the Irish hit the road for Boston College, Michigan State, Miami, North Carolina and Stanford, Notre Dame fans will have chances to see their team from coast to coast.
“Fans and guests enjoy the Notre Dame game day experience all across campus. Pep rallies, the marching band’s pre-game concerts on the Bond Hall steps, student food booths spread across campus, and postgame Masses are celebrated in the Basilica,” says Mike Seamon, Notre Dame’s Director of Gameday Operations.
On game days, Irish fans make the early morning march to Notre Dame’s three different tailgating lots, the Joyce Lot being the closest to the stadium.
When students return in August, the University will be completing their Campus Crossroads Project. This incredible undertaking includes construction of more than 750,000 square feet of facilities housed in three buildings attached to the west, east, and south sides of the stadium. With that, more than 750,000 square feet of teaching, research, performance space, student life and recreational facilities become part of an enhanced gameday experience. So, there’s really no reason not to visit, especially with the largest building project in Notre Dame’s history on the agenda.