The NCAA college basketball season tips off on an international stage, as Notre Dame and Villanova meet in an unprecedented college basketball showdown on November 1, 2026.
Inspired by the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born Pope and a Villanova graduate, student-athletes from some of the United States’ top Catholic universities will travel to Rome and Vatican City for a one-of-a-kind international experience to begin their college hoops season – with a planned audience with Pope Leo XIV set to take place ahead of the game.
Be there for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Eternal City Tip-Off in Rome, Italy. Official Travel Packages are now available and offer a seamless, all-inclusive way to be part of this historic international showcase.
Don't miss your chance to be a part of this unforgettable basketball and cultural experience in the Eternal City!
Packages include:
Official Game Tickets for the Men's & Women's Games
Premium Hotel Accommodations
Exclusive Fan Events
On-Site Hosts
Ground Transportation
And More!
Sign up and stay up to date with the latest information on available travel packages for the 2026 Eternal City Tip-Off!
The Eternal City Tip-off is a collaboration between FOX Sports, Players Era and On Location.
FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing Fox Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, the business has ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing relationships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Network; FS1, FS2, FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Deportes.
Players Era was created by EverWonder Studio and Seth Berger. The first ever festival was hosted by partner MGM Resorts International at the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena. EverWonder is a new independent content studio led by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer Ian Orefice – the former President of TIME and TIME Studios – and backed by RedBird IMI and Jeff Zucker – the former President of NBCUniversal, CNN, and Turner Sports.
On Location is a global leader in premium experiential hospitality, offering ticketing, curated guest experiences, live event production and travel management across sports, entertainment, fashion and culture. On Location provides unrivaled access for corporate clients and fans looking for official, immersive experiences at marquee events, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games, FIFA World Cup 2026TM, Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, and more.
