Villanova and Notre Dame Basketball Teams Open Season with Rome Doubleheader After Vatican Visit
Villanova and Notre Dame men's and women's basketball teams opened the college basketball season with a doubleheader in Rome, Italy, after meeting with the Pope at the Vatican.
Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, November 1, 2026 —
Two prominent NCAA Division I basketball programs, Villanova University and the University of Notre Dame, have launched their collegiate basketball seasons with an international doubleheader held in Rome, Italy. This unique opening to the season was preceded by a significant cultural and spiritual event: an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican.
The event marked the first time these four teams—the men’s and women’s squads from both Villanova and Notre Dame—have opened their seasons on European soil. The doubleheader featured games contested in Rome, providing student-athletes and staff with an unparalleled experience beyond typical collegiate competition.
Prior to the tip-off of the basketball games, members of the Villanova and Notre Dame delegations were granted the opportunity to meet with Pope Francis. This papal audience added a distinctive layer to the teams’ overseas trip, connecting the athletic endeavors with a significant cultural and religious experience in the heart of Italy.
The timing of the event signifies the early start to the college basketball calendar for these programs. Typically, college basketball seasons commence in November. Playing a doubleheader in an international location like Rome offers a novel format for collegiate sports, exposing the teams to different environments and potentially fostering stronger team cohesion through shared unique experiences.
Further details regarding the specific game outcomes, player performances, or other logistical aspects of the trip were not provided in the summary. However, the joint opening of the season in Rome by these two universities highlights a growing trend of collegiate sports programs seeking international engagement and unique experiences for their athletes, blending athletic competition with broader cultural and educational opportunities.
The initiative to play abroad and engage with significant global figures like the Pope underscores the multifaceted experiences that modern college athletics can offer, extending beyond the court to encompass diplomacy, culture, and personal growth for student-athletes.
Story summarized from the original created by By ANDREW DAMPF, Associated Press on www.local10.com, see more information here.
