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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.
Official Experience Packages from On Location are available now with a fully refundable Priority Access deposit! Packages provide a seamless experience and allow you to maximize your trip to Italy. With game tickets and access to exclusive events, these official packages are the best way to be a part of this historic international showcase.
You won't want to miss your chance to be a part of this unforgettable basketball and cultural experience in the Eternal City! Place your deposit today!
Packages include:
Official Game Tickets for the Men's & Women's Games
Premium Hotel Accommodations
Planned Papal Audience with Pope Leo XIV
Exclusive Fan Events
On-Site Hosts
And More!
Sign up below to stay up to date with the latest information on available ticket & 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, a subsidiary of EverWonder Studio, was founded in 2024 to create a more equitable model for college sports that centers around valuing the players and expanding global fandom through the creation of first-of-their-kind world-class events. Players Era debuted with the 2024 Players Era Festival, which delivered a week-long celebration of college basketball – featuring exciting games and groundbreaking NIL activities for participating teams. The 2026 season-opening Eternal City Tip-Off featuring Notre Dame and Villanova in Rome is Players Era’s first-ever international event, with the company planning further opportunities for expansion and exciting showcases as it grows its overall impact.
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.
