For the 2025 college football season, the official radio home for all Notre Dame Fighting Irish football games is the Notre Dame Radio Network, a vast array of affiliate stations stretching across the United States. Fans looking to catch the live play-by-play action on the radio can tune into the flagship station, WSBT 960 AM / 96.1 FM in South Bend, Indiana, or find the national broadcast on SiriusXM Channel 129. This comprehensive guide provides all the up-to-date channels, streaming methods, and broadcast team details you need to follow the Irish from kickoff to the final whistle.
As of today, December 17, 2025, the radio broadcast remains one of the most traditional and reliable ways for the global Notre Dame fanbase to experience the game. The network, presented by Invesco QQQ, ensures that whether you're driving across the country or streaming from your mobile device, you'll have access to the iconic sounds of Irish football.
The Official Notre Dame Radio Network: Flagship and Announcers
The Notre Dame Radio Network is the exclusive provider of the live game broadcast, pre-game, and post-game coverage for Fighting Irish football. Launched in partnership with JMI Sports and Legends in 2018, the network is a major force in collegiate sports broadcasting.
Flagship Station: The Home Base
The heart of the broadcast operation is in South Bend, Indiana, the home of the University of Notre Dame. The flagship station is:
- WSBT 960 AM / 96.1 FM: This is the primary station for local listeners in the Michiana area and the official anchor of the entire network. WSBT is a long-standing sports talk radio station that also features broadcasts for the South Bend Cubs and other major sports.
The 2025 Radio Broadcast Team
The voices bringing you the action are a crucial part of the game-day experience. For the 2025 season, the Notre Dame Radio Network features a highly experienced and familiar broadcast crew:
- Play-by-Play Announcer: Tony Simeone. Simeone returns as the "Voice of the Irish" for his second season, providing the exciting, moment-by-moment call of the game.
- Color Analyst: Ryan Harris ('07). A former Notre Dame offensive lineman and Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos, Harris provides expert analysis and insight from a player's perspective. He is a fan favorite and is entering his sixth season in the analyst role.
- Studio Host: Johnny Sopher. Sopher manages the pre-game, halftime, and post-game studio coverage, keeping fans updated on scores and news from around college football.
This team is responsible for delivering the energy and passion of Notre Dame football to a national audience, making the radio broadcast a unique and cherished tradition for Irish fans.
National Coverage: SiriusXM and Streaming Options
For fans outside of the immediate South Bend or affiliate market areas, there are several reliable national and digital options to ensure you never miss a snap. These methods are often the most convenient for travelers, commuters, and those living far from the traditional radio footprint.
SiriusXM Satellite Radio
The most consistent national broadcast can be found on satellite radio. This is the go-to option for cross-country travelers and subscribers to the service.
- SiriusXM Channel 129: This channel is the dedicated home for the Notre Dame Radio Network broadcast for all football games.
- Alternate Channels: On occasion, the broadcast may be carried on "The Catholic Channel" or a rotating college sports channel, but Channel 129 is the most reliable starting point. Always check the official SiriusXM schedule for the specific game day.
Digital Streaming and Online Listening
The digital age offers multiple ways to stream the game audio directly to your phone, computer, or smart device. These options are vital for the modern fan:
- Official Notre Dame Athletics Website/App: The official Fighting Irish website and mobile application often provide a direct link to the live radio network stream, ensuring a seamless listening experience.
- ESPN App/ESPN+: The Notre Dame Football Radio Network broadcast, featuring Tony Simeone and Ryan Harris, is frequently available for streaming through the ESPN App, especially during major broadcast events like the College Football Playoff.
- WSBT Online Stream: The flagship station, WSBT, typically streams its content online via its website and dedicated apps (like the Sports Radio WSBT app), allowing fans everywhere to listen to the local South Bend feed.
- WVFI Radio (Student Stream): For a unique, student-run perspective, the University of Notre Dame's own streaming-only radio station, WVFI, provides its own play-by-play call of the games. This is a great alternative for a different broadcast flavor.
Listening online is often the easiest way to access the broadcast, but be aware of potential geo-restrictions or a slight delay (latency) compared to the live over-the-air radio signal.
Finding Your Local Notre Dame Radio Network Affiliate
While the flagship station is in South Bend, the Notre Dame Radio Network boasts affiliates in dozens of major cities and regional markets across the country, ensuring a wide footprint for the Fighting Irish fanbase. The network utilizes Skyview Networks for distribution, allowing for coast-to-coast coverage of football, men's basketball, women's basketball, and hockey.
To find the specific AM or FM station in your area, you should check the official Notre Dame Athletics "Radio Information" page, which provides the most current list of affiliates nationwide. However, the network is known to have a strong presence in key regions:
Key Affiliate Markets and Regions
Fans in these areas should easily be able to find a local station carrying the broadcast:
- Indiana: Beyond South Bend, the network has widespread coverage across the state, including major cities like Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.
- Illinois (Chicago Area): Chicago is a massive hub for Notre Dame alumni and fans, and the network typically has a powerful affiliate station to cover the Chicagoland area.
- Ohio: With a strong rivalry history and proximity, Ohio markets often carry the games.
- Michigan & Midwest: Southwest Michigan is directly served by the flagship WSBT, and other major Midwest markets are consistently covered.
- Major Metro Areas: Affiliates can also be found in major metropolitan areas further afield, such as New York, Los Angeles, and others with large alumni populations. For example, a major game against USC would see a Los Angeles station like ESPN LA 710 AM carrying the opponent's broadcast, but a Notre Dame affiliate would also be available in the area.
Pro Tip for Travelers: If you are traveling on game day, your best bet is to use the SiriusXM Channel 129 or stream the game via the official Notre Dame app or the ESPN App, as local AM/FM signals can fade quickly once you leave a metropolitan area.
The Notre Dame Radio Broadcast Experience
The radio broadcast of Notre Dame football is more than just a play-by-play—it's a cultural institution for the Irish faithful. The broadcast often begins hours before kickoff, with extensive pre-game shows featuring interviews with coaches, alumni, and in-depth analysis of the opponent and the keys to the game. The post-game show provides a complete wrap-up, including coach and player reaction, and a look ahead to the next matchup.
The combination of Tony Simeone's dynamic call and Ryan Harris's professional insight as a former Irish player ensures that listeners get both the excitement of the moment and a deep understanding of the strategy on the field. The consistency and quality of the Notre Dame Radio Network make it the gold standard for college football radio broadcasts, connecting generations of fans to the tradition of Fighting Irish football.
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