Notre Dame Playoff Appearances

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish is a football team that represents the University of Notre Dame and competes in the Independent Conference. The Fighting Irish football program was established in 1887, winning eleven national championships. In 2020, they played in the American Athletic Conference (ACC). Their home games are played at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana. Notre Dame Fighting Irish has also won 11 unclaimed national titles, most recently in 2012. The team is led by head coach Marcus Freeman for the 2024 season. Notre Dame helped 109 players to the Consensus All-Americans team and numerous players to the NFL. Their five biggest rivals are the Army, Boston College, Michigan, Michigan State, and Navy.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish had a remarkable season in 1947. Frank Leahy coached the team to a perfect 9-0 record, thus earning the consensus national championship. The dominant team was led by quarterback Johnny Lujack, who won the Heisman Trophy that year for his performances. The Fighting Irish outscored their opponents by a total of 271-52, had four shutouts, and played well both, defensively and offensively. Players like Emil Sitko and George Connor led the team, which was marked by wins over Army and USC. They earned the No. 1 position in the final AP Poll with their undefeated record and dominance over their rivals.

Notre Dame Playoff Appearances

As of January, the Notre Dame football team made three playoff appearances in the college football playoffs (CFP), as per NCAA's official website. They first appeared in the college football playoffs in 2018, then in 2020 and 2024. Their playoff record, as of January 2025, is 2-2.

Read More: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Stadium

Notre Dame Bowl Record

The Fighting Irish has participated in 44 Bowl games, as of 2025. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish's Bowl record is 22-21, as of January 2025.

No.	Year	Bowl	Winner/Tie	Loser/Tie
1	2024	College Football Playoff - First Round	Indiana	Notre Dame
2	2023	Sun Bowl	Notre Dame	Oregon State
3	2022	Gator Bowl	Notre Dame	South Carolina
4	2021	Fiesta Bowl	Oklahoma State	Notre Dame
5	2020	Rose Bowl	Alabama	Notre Dame
6	2019	Camping World Bowl	Notre Dame	Iowa State
7	2018	Cotton Bowl	Clemson	Notre Dame
8	2017	Citrus Bowl	Notre Dame	LSU
9	2015	Fiesta Bowl	Ohio State	Notre Dame
10	2014	Music City Bowl	Notre Dame	LSU
11	2013	Pinstripe Bowl	Notre Dame	Rutgers
12	2012	BCS Championship	Alabama	Notre Dame
13	2011	Champs Sports Bowl	Florida State	Notre Dame
14	2010	Sun Bowl	Notre Dame	Miami (FL)
15	2008	Hawaii Bowl	Notre Dame	Hawaii
16	2006	Sugar Bowl	LSU	Notre Dame
17	2005	Fiesta Bowl	Ohio State	Notre Dame
18	2004	Insight Bowl	Oregon State	Notre Dame
19	2002	Gator Bowl	North Carolina State	Notre Dame
20	2000	Fiesta Bowl	Oregon State	Notre Dame
21	1998	Gator Bowl	Georgia Tech	Notre Dame
22	1997	Independence Bowl	LSU	Notre Dame
23	1995	Orange Bowl	Florida State	Notre Dame
24	1994	Fiesta Bowl	Colorado	Notre Dame
25	1993	Cotton Bowl	Notre Dame	Texas A&M
26	1992	Cotton Bowl	Notre Dame	Texas A&M
27	1991	Sugar Bowl	Notre Dame	Florida
28	1990	Orange Bowl	Colorado	Notre Dame
29	1989	Orange Bowl	Notre Dame	Colorado
30	1988	Fiesta Bowl	Notre Dame	West Virginia
31	1987	Cotton Bowl	Texas A&M	Notre Dame
32	1984	Aloha Bowl	SMU	Notre Dame
33	1983	Liberty Bowl	Notre Dame	Boston College
34	1980	Sugar Bowl	Georgia	Notre Dame
35	1978	Cotton Bowl	Notre Dame	Houston
36	1977	Cotton Bowl	Notre Dame	Texas
37	1976	Gator Bowl	Notre Dame	Penn State
38	1974	Orange Bowl	Notre Dame	Alabama
39	1973	Sugar Bowl	Notre Dame	Alabama
40	1972	Orange Bowl	Nebraska	Notre Dame
41	1970	Cotton Bowl	Notre Dame	Texas
42	1969	Cotton Bowl	Texas	Notre Dame
43	1924	Rose Bowl	Notre Dame	Stanford

Read More: Notre Dame National Championship Wins

Notre Dame All-time Record

Notre Dame’s All-time record is 958 wins, 338 losses, and 42 draws, as of January 2025.