'College GameDay' coming to Pittsburgh as Panthers prepare to host Notre Dame
What was already set to be an important game on a big stage Saturday at Acrisure Stadium got even more exciting Sunday, as ESPN’s “College Gameday” will broadcast live from the North Shore in advance of Pitt’s noon kickoff vs. Notre Dame.
The No. 24 Panthers (7-2, 5-1 ACC) and No. 10 Fighting Irish (7-2) were both ranked in the first College Football Playoff release Tuesday and ride lengthy winning streaks heading into Saturday’s showdown.
Notre Dame, after topping Navy over the weekend, has won seven straight games after starting the year 0-2, while Pitt is 5-0 since Oct. 4, coinciding with Mason Heintschel’s ascension to starting quarterback.
“We’re thrilled to welcome “College GameDay” back to Pittsburgh,” Pitt athletic director Allen Greene said in a statement. “This is an incredible opportunity to showcase our city, our University and the passion of Panther Nation on college football’s biggest stage. I can’t wait to unleash our fans and show the country what Pitt is all about!”
COLLEGE GAMEDAY IS HEADED TO PITTSBURGH AND PAT IS HEADED HOME‼️
We’ll be outside Acrisure Stadium for our first Saturday show in the Steel City in 20 years!@PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/Fj60IytzCq
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 9, 2025
Not since Sept. 1, 2022, has “College GameDay” chosen Pitt as host for one of its broadcasts. That occasion, a Thursday night game that featured the restart of the Backyard Brawl for the first time since 2011, saw the Panthers beat West Virginia, 38-31.
But it’s been since Sept. 3, 2005, also vs. Notre Dame, that Pitt has played host to a traditional Saturday edition of College GameDay. In total, it’s Pitt’s fourth time being featured as the program’s host.
In addition, Saturday is set to be the first ranked-on-ranked showdown at Acrisure Stadium since No. 17 Pitt lost to No. 24 Tennessee.
“College GameDay” will broadcast from 9 a.m. to noon from the North Shore, and fans are encouraged to arrive early and take part in the show, hosted by Rece Davis, with analysts Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Plum’s Pat McAfee and Nick Saban.
The ACC Network’s “ACC Huddle” will also broadcast in Pittsburgh from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, and the Panthers will honor Aaron Donald and retire his No. 97 jersey at halftime.
Justin Guerriero is a TribLive reporter covering the Penguins, Pirates and college sports. A Pittsburgh native, he is a Central Catholic and University of Colorado graduate. He joined the Trib in 2022 after covering the Colorado Buffaloes for Rivals and freelancing for the Denver Post. He can be reached at jguerriero@triblive.com.
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