The USC Trojans have added the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns to their 2026 football schedule, FBSchedules.com has learned. A copy of the football game contract with the University of Southern California was obtained from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette via a state public records request.
USC will host Louisiana at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. The Trojans will pay the Ragin’ Cajuns a $1.3 million guarantee for playing the game, according to the copy of the contract.
The 2026 USC-Louisiana contest will mark the first-ever meeting between the two schools in football. USC is 2-0 against current members of the Sun Belt Conference, while Louisiana owns an 0-6 record against current members of the Big Ten Conference.
With the addition of Louisiana, USC now has two of its three opponents set for its 2026 non-conference schedule. The Trojans are scheduled to open the season at home against the Fresno State Bulldogs on Sept. 5.
Although not official, it has been reported that USC will face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a neutral-site game during the 2026 season. The Trojans played in South Bend this season and were previously expected to host the Fighting Irish in Los Angeles in 2026, but the schools have not been able to agree on a new extension to the long-standing rivalry series.
In Big Ten action in 2026, USC is set to host Maryland, Ohio State, Oregon, and Washington, and will travel to Indiana, Penn State, Rutgers, UCLA, and Wisconsin.
Louisiana has tentatively completed its 2026 non-conference schedule with the addition of USC. The Ragin’ Cajuns are scheduled to open the season at home against the Lamar Cardinals on Sept. 5 and will also host the UAB Blazers on Sept. 19.
Louisiana’s fourth and final non-conference game in 2026 is currently the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on the road on Sept. 26. However, Louisiana Tech is set to join the Sun Belt Conference, possibly by next season.
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I don’t understand why USC wants to play Notre Dame game at a neutral site in 2026, when it would otherwise be their home game and Notre Dame appears fine with that. With five Big Ten road games in even-numbered years, I don’t get wanting to go down to six home games in 2026.
I know that USC wants to move the game to September to avoid travel during Big Ten conference play, but it seems like you just keep the 2026 in LA at the end of the season (no travel for USC), when Notre Dame has no openings in September, and then play in September starting in 2027. I realize Notre Dame wants to keep the traditional dates, but they are probably going to have to give on that, and I was just proven they really need to keep USC on their schedule or it will get even weaker.
I agree with you with USC wanting Notre Dame to play in September which would be an excellent ideal especially when Big Ten really want conference games in October & November & USC-UCLA would be a perfect fit on Thanksgiving weekend annually.
Notre Dame to play at various ACC opponents is a more logical choice.
Main reason for Big Ten delaying release of 2026 regular season schedule is decision on future of USC-Notre Dame rivalry which I really want it to stay regardless of scheduling.
I believe it was because they were hoping to sell the game to a different network (i.e. Netflix) and make alot more $$$ since it wouldn’t have to be shared with the Big Ten Conference
The longer that ND and USC continue to be at loggerheads scheduling a game for next season, it seems less and less likely that the game will be played. It’s too bad that this has happened.
Blame it on realignment Dave.
Drop Notre Dame!!! They need us more than we need them!!! Our big ten schedule already has us playing top teams!!!!
I would have expected this game to be in New Orleans.