LOS ANGELES — UCLA Men's Rugby heads east for its first road trip of the 2026 season, taking on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Friday, Oct. 16, in a historic matchup under the lights in South Bend, Indiana.

The contest marks several significant firsts for the Bruins, who will travel to South Bend for the first time in program history and face Notre Dame in their first competitive XVs fixture. With both programs looking to build momentum as the postseason approaches, Friday night promises to be a compelling matchup between two proud collegiate rugby programs.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at Stinson Rugby Field, with a strong crowd expected. UCLA alumni and families have already made plans to attend, giving the Bruins a travelling support base for a landmark occasion on the road.

National Spotlight for College Rugby

The matchup has been selected as the NCR Friday Night Game of the Week, bringing national attention to the contest and providing a prominent platform for collegiate rugby.

Fans can watch the game live on the NCR TV channel, connecting supporters, alumni, families and prospective student-athletes across the country and around the world.

The national broadcast is another important opportunity to showcase the quality and atmosphere of collegiate rugby, highlighting the passion, tradition and ambition driving programs across the country. For UCLA, the chance to compete against Notre Dame on a national stage represents another step forward in the program's continued development.

FirstPoint USA Scholars Cup Continues

Friday's contest will also mark UCLA's second appearance in the inaugural FirstPoint USA Scholars Cup, an initiative celebrating the intersection of collegiate rugby, academic opportunity and the international university experience.

Following their previous outings, both teams will be eager to build on their performances and establish momentum in a competitive season. The Scholars Cup provides an additional platform for two respected university programs to compete while highlighting the opportunities collegiate rugby can create for student-athletes in the United States.

As the profile of college rugby continues to grow, initiatives such as the Scholars Cup help strengthen connections between universities, players and supporters while bringing greater visibility to the sport.

Postseason Push Takes Shape

With the postseason firmly in sight, the stakes continue to rise for the Bruins. Friday's road test will challenge UCLA to deliver a disciplined and composed performance in a demanding environment against an opponent making its own push toward the business end of the season.

The trip also presents an opportunity for the Bruins to measure their progress away from home, embrace the occasion and continue building toward their season objectives.

From a historic first visit to South Bend to the opportunity to perform under the lights in front of a national audience, Friday night represents much more than another fixture on the schedule. It is an important moment for UCLA Men's Rugby and another opportunity for the Bruins to leave their mark on the collegiate game.

Game Information

• Matchup: UCLA Bruins vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

• Date: Friday, Oct. 16, 2026

• Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

• Venue: Stinson Rugby Field — South Bend, Indiana

• Competition: FirstPoint USA Scholars Cup

• Broadcast: NCR TV 

• National Feature: NCR Friday Night Game of the Week

One historic night. Two proud programs. A national stage. The Bruins are ready for South Bend.