On November 1, 2026, Notre Dame and Villanova will compete in a groundbreaking college basketball event titled the Eternal City Tip-Off in Rome, Italy. This matchup will feature both men's and women's teams from the two Catholic institutions, marking the first time college basketball will be played on an international stage. The game will occur near the Vatican, raising speculation about the attendance of Pope Leo XIV, a Villanova alumnus. This event aims to elevate the visibility of college basketball globally and follows the trend of international college football games, such as the Aer Lingus Classic in Dublin.