Back in April, San Diego officials made it clear that it wanted to play host to a future Navy-Notre Dame football game. Three months later, that’s come to fruition.
Navy announced in a press release Wednesday that the 2018 game against Notre Dame will be played at Qualcomm Stadium, the home (for now) of the NFL’s San Diego Chargers and San Diego State. The game will be played Oct. 27.
San Diego and its surrounding areas are the home of several Naval institutions, so the Midshipmen can expect a sizable contingent of fans in the stands supporting the service academy.
“We are excited about the opportunity to play a regular-season game against Notre Dame in San Diego, which is a city filled with Navy and Marine Corps service men and women.” said Navy athletic director Chet Gladchuk in a statement. “The partnership the Naval Academy has had with the bowl administration in San Diego has been extraordinary for well over a decade. This special matchup with Notre Dame will mirror in many ways the highly successful event format that has brought great success to the economy, city, and community over the years.
“We are so very pleased to bring the Navy family together again in this wonderful environment for what is always a highly competitive match up against two institutions with unparalleled national respect and tradition. We are all looking forward to 2018.”
In even-number years Navy serves as the home team in the annual rivalry, and always moves the game to a bigger neutral field as its own stadium, Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, seats just 34,000 fans. Two weeks ago it was announced that the 2016 game will be played in Jacksonville.
The 2018 game will serve as the Fighting Irish’s first-ever in the city of San Diego.
