ESPN has unveiled its 2026 SEC/ACC Challenge schedule, including times and television designations, and Notre Dame and Vanderbilt will tip off on Dec. 3 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. It is one of just two women's Challenge games this year that will be televised on ESPN, joining South Carolina at Duke.
The Irish-Commodores pairing is a rematch of one of last year's Sweet 16 games, a close contest that saw Notre Dame come out on top, 67-64. Hannah Hidalgo was the star of the show, posting the second 30-point triple double in NCAA Tournament history (Caitlin Clark) and finishing with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 10 steals.
This season, both Notre Dame and Vanderbilt are ranked in the top 20 of ESPN's Way-Too-Early rankings, sitting at No. 16 and No. 11, respectively. Hidalgo returns for the Irish, while All-American Mikayla Blakes is back for Vanderbilt. She had 26 points in last year's Sweet 16 game.
Notre Dame is 5-1 all-time against Vanderbilt and has won the last five contests. The Irish last visited Nashville in 2008. Additionally, Notre Dame is 2-1 in SEC/ACC Challenge games with wins over Tennessee (2023) and Texas (2024).