ROME, ITALY 2026
ETERNAL CITY TIP-OFF
The NCAA college basketball season tips off on an international stage, as Villanova and Notre Dame meet in an unprecedented college basketball showdown on November 1, 2026, at the Palazzo dello Sport in Rome. The men’s matchup will air live on FOX at 3:30 PM CST (9:30 AM ET), followed by the women’s game on FS1 at 6:00 PM CST (12:00 PM ET).
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.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY, OCT. 30
VILLANOVA FANS ARRIVE IN ROME
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM CET | Villa Miani
Welcome Reception
If not included in your package, we cannot add you to any events.
All events are for ticketed guests only and are at capacity.
SATURDAY, OCT. 31
9:00 AM CET | St. Peter's Basilica
Private Mass
Celebrated by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez
Following Mass | St. Paul VI Audience Hall
Audience with His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV
Subject to Papal availability
3:00 PM CET | Augustinianum
Sports & Spirituality Session
If not included in your package, we cannot add you to any events.
All events are for ticketed guests only and are at capacity.
SUNDAY, NOV. 1
Morning Mass | Solemnity of All Saints
There are several options for morning Mass in English throughout Rome.
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM CET | Pre-Game Receptions
On Location Pre-Game Reception - Spazio Novecento
Student Pre-Game Reception - Hilton Rome Eur La Lama
03:30 PM CET | Palazzo dello Sport (PalaEur)
Men's Basketball vs. Notre Dame
Doors open for PalaEur at 1:30 PM CET
6:00 PM CET | Palazzo dello Sport (PalaEur)
Women's Basketball vs. Notre Dame
If not included in your package, we cannot add you to any events.
All events are for ticketed guests only and are at capacity.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
OUR AUGUSTINIAN HERITAGE
PEOPLE TO KNOW
PLACES TO VISIT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
MASS & PAPAL AUDIENCE
Official packages feature coordinated group access for exclusive experiences, including a private Catholic Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and a planned Papal Audience with Pope Leo XIV.
While arranged through official event channels, all Vatican events and Papal Audiences remain strictly subject to the Holy See's official liturgical calendar, security protocols, and papal health/schedule.
Vatican and basilica dress codes are strictly enforced by security: shoulders and knees must be fully covered for all guests (no sleeveless shirts, short skirts, or short shorts). Hats must be removed inside sacred spaces. Comfortable, flat walking shoes are strongly recommended due to cobblestones and security lines.
Typical protocol is that guests should wear black, navy, charcoal, or other muted/modest tones.
If you are attending Mass, you must arrive before 8:30 a.m. to complete security screening. Doors for the Mass will open at 7:30 a.m., close at 8:30 a.m., and Mass will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. Guests arriving after 8:30 a.m. will not be permitted to enter the Basilica for Mass.
For those attending only the Papal Audience, security screening will open at 10:30 a.m. and will close promptly at 11:15 a.m. The anticipated private Papal Audience is currently scheduled to begin at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Please note that all guests are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from Vatican City.
TRAVEL
Dedicated shuttle service depends on your specific package tier. Full hotel-inclusive travel packages typically coordinate group motorcoach transportation from partner hotels to the Palazzo dello Sport on game day. Lower-tier or "ticket-plus" packages (such as Essentials packages) generally do not include private game-day transfers.
Check your booking confirmation invoice to see if motorcoach transfers are itemized.
The games are hosted at the Palazzo dello Sport (PalaEUR), located in Rome's EUR district south of the city center:
- Metro (Recommended): Take Metro Line B (Blue) directly to the EUR Palasport station. From there, the arena is approximately an 8- to 10-minute walk south around the EUR artificial lake.
- Taxi / Rideshare: Official white taxis or Uber (which dispatches licensed NCC black cars/taxis in Rome) can drop off near Piazzale Pier Luigi Nervi. Expect heavier traffic and extended trip times along Via Cristoforo Colombo on game day; allow at least 45–60 minutes when traveling from central Rome.
Standard ATAC public transit tickets cost €1.50 and are valid for 100 minutes across buses, trams, and one entry on the metro network. You can tap contactless credit or debit cards directly at metro turnstiles (Tap & Go), or purchase physical tickets at station automated kiosks and local tabacchi shops before boarding.
Standard packages do not automatically include airport transfers from Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino (FCO) or Ciampino (CIA) airports. Guests can request dedicated private airport transfers through On Location’s concierge desk, take official fixed-rate airport taxis (€50 flat fare between FCO and inside the Aurelian Walls), or take the Leonardo Express train from FCO directly to Roma Termini station.
BASKETBALL GAMES
The games take place on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at the historic Palazzo dello Sport (PalaEUR) in Rome. The event features a doubleheader between Notre Dame and Villanova for both their men’s and women’s programs.
Primary access is handled through On Location Official Experience Packages, which include all-session tickets covering both the men’s and women’s matchups.
Tickets are issued digitally closer to the event date (usually 1–2 weeks prior to tip-off) via mobile ticketing or through the On Location guest app/portal. Detailed transfer instructions are sent to the primary email on your order.
Doors to Palazzo dello Sport (PalaEur) will open at 1:30 PM (13:30) CET. Arrive early to get settled and enjoy the excitement ahead of the game.
Upgrades are permitted subject to availability. Contact the On Location guest services to inquire about available section reassignments or premium hospitality additions.
STUDENTS
Students were invited to apply for the opportunity to purchase tickets and were randomly selected. Students interested in joining the waitlist are invited to email events@villanova.edu.
Yes. Villanova will host a dedicated pre-game fan gathering for students who have purchased tickets to the game. The reception is being held at Hilton Rome Eur La Lama. More details will be sent to registered students.
Package guests and students without game tickets will not be permitted to attend.
EVENTS
The Villanova Welcome Reception is being held at Villa Miani on Friday, Oct. 30. It is the official kickoff gathering, bringing Villanovans together for an evening of Italian hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and remarks from University and Athletics leadership.
Attendance is restricted to guests who purchased packages or specific hospitality add-ons that include tickets for the reception.
Dress for the welcome reception is smart casual.
If a specific hotel tier, hospitality package, or special excursion is sold out, submit your name directly to the official On Location waitlist. When cancellations occur or additional inventory opens up, waitlisted guests are contacted in order of submission.
No. Exclusive program events—including the Papal Audience, St. Peter’s private Mass, and school-specific receptions—are non-transferable and require credentialed event badges matching official guest IDs. Avoid unauthorized third-party resellers offering access to private faith or university functions.
PREGAME RECEPTION
The pre-game reception is taking place at Spazio Novecento, located in Rome’s EUR district (Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, 26). (Note: The student pre-game hospitality is also hosted nearby at the Hilton Rome Eur La Lama).
The reception runs on Game Day, Sunday, November 1, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, concluding in time for fans to make their way to the arena as doors open ahead of the Men's 3:30 PM tip-off.
Yes, it is an easy walk. The Palazzo dello Sport is located approximately 1 kilometer (about 0.6 miles) south of Spazio Novecento.
- The walk takes 12 to 15 minutes directly down Via Cristoforo Colombo or along the walking paths flanking the EUR artificial lake (Parco Centrale del Lago).
- Walking is the recommended way to travel between the reception and the arena, as street traffic and vehicle congestion around Piazzale Pier Luigi Nervi will be heavy close to tip-off.
No. The Spazio Novecento pre-game reception is completely SOLD OUT. Because the venue has reached maximum capacity, tickets or credentials will not be sold on-site, and walk-ups cannot be accommodated. Only guests with pre-issued credentials or confirmed event tickets will be admitted.
- Catered Food & Open Bar: A spread of Italian lunch fare, regional specialties, pinsa, antipasti boards, beer, local wines, espresso, and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Game-Day Spirit & Programming: Villanova rally atmosphere, music, and appearances by university leadership, special guests, and spirit groups.
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