Pope Leo XIV will get to see his alma mater Villanova to open the 2026-27 basketball season vs. Notre Dame as the two Catholic schools come to Rome.

The NCAA approved a waiver for the schools’ men’s and women’s basketball teams to begin the year overseas on Nov. 1, according to a report from CBS Sports.

According to CBS Sports reporter Matt Norlander, Notre Dame and Villanova’s men’s and women’s teams will open the 2026-27 season Rome on Sunday, Nov. 1. Next season’s season openers are scheduled for ...

Notre Dame considers itself a global brand, so it's only fitting that the school's basketball programs will travel the globe to open next season.