The concluding match of the college football season showcases two historic teams.

The 7th-ranked Notre Dame and the 8th-ranked Ohio State will face off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, January 20, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff national championship.

This Monday’s match signifies a reflective moment for the Irish, as they return to the national championship game for the first time since the 2013 BCS championship. The team seeks their first title since 1988.

To earn their spot in the CFP championship game, Notre Dame first triumphed over 10th-ranked Indiana in the first round, then defeated 2nd-ranked Georgia in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal, and finally overcame 6th-ranked Penn State in the Orange Bowl semifinal with a clutch 41-yard field goal by kicker Mitch Jeter as time was running out.

A win on Monday would enhance Notre Dame’s prestigious legacy, as the Fighting Irish have 11 recognized national championships and a history of 983 total victories. It would also break a national championship drought for the Irish that has lasted 36 years.

Given the considerable national fan following, the term “Notre Dame” may not clearly convey its position in college football for those less familiar with the team.

For fans who might not be aware of the Fighting Irish, here’s what you should know about Notre Dame’s location and more:

Where is Notre Dame located?

• Location: South Bend, Indiana
• Enrollment: 8,968

The University of Notre Dame is situated in Notre Dame, Indiana, around 93 miles east of Chicago. According to U.S. News & World Report, Notre Dame’s undergraduate enrollment stood at 8,968 in the fall of 2023.

Famous features of Notre Dame’s campus include the iconic 134-foot “Touchdown Jesus” mural which can be seen from Notre Dame Stadium, as well as the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.

What conference is Notre Dame in?

Differing from their opponent, Notre Dame does not belong to any conference. The Fighting Irish compete as one of three independent teams at the FBS level in college football.

Football is the only sport where Notre Dame operates independently. They are fully integrated into the Atlantic Coast Conference for all other major sports, except for men’s hockey, where they compete in the Big Ten.

For further details on Notre Dame’s independent status for football, click here.

Notre Dame CFP history

Heading into Monday’s national championship matchup, Notre Dame carries a 3-2 record in the College Football Playoff, with all their victories coming in the current season.

This season’s College Football Playoff marks Notre Dame’s third appearance since its first in 2019.

On their path to the championship game Monday, Notre Dame defeated 10th-ranked Indiana in the initial round, 2nd-ranked Georgia in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal, and 6th-ranked Penn State in the Orange Bowl semifinal.

Here’s a detailed look at Notre Dame’s previous CFP scores and outcomes:

• 2019 CFP (Cotton Bowl semifinal): No. 2 Clemson 30, No. 3 Notre Dame 3
• 2021 CFP (Rose Bowl semifinal): No. 1 Alabama 31, No. 4 Notre Dame 14
• 2024-25 CFP (CFP first round): No. 7 Notre Dame 27, No. 10 Indiana 17
• 2024-25 CFP (Sugar Bowl quarterfinal): No. 7 Notre Dame 23, No. 2 Georgia 10
• 2024-25 CFP (Orange Bowl semifinal): No. 7 Notre Dame 27, No. 6 Penn State 24