Notre Dame unveils football-specific Fighting Irish leprechaun logo as part of broader branding refresh
The University of Notre Dame’s athletic department revealed a new football-specific Fighting Irish leprechaun logo on Thursday, the first in a planned series of sport-specific marks for the 2025-26 school year and future seasons. The design was crafted in-house by Fighting Irish Media, with input from athletic department staff and inspiration drawn from photos and the running styles of current and former student-athletes.
This update marks the first change to Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish emblem since its original 1960s design. The enduring logo dates back to its appearance on the cover of Time magazine on November 20, 1964, in a portrait of legendary Notre Dame head coach Ara Parseghian, a moment that helped cement the symbol in school lore.
The football-specific logo is the opening salvo in a series of sport-focused logos Notre Dame intends to roll out during the 2025-26 cycle. It will also appear on merchandise in the university’s official online team store, giving fans new ways to connect with the brand.
Context for fans: Notre Dame is coming off a national championship game defeat to Ohio State, 34-23, and enters the 2025 season ranked No. 6 in the AP Top 25. The Fighting Irish will kick off the season against No. 10 Miami on August 31.
Analysts and observers weighed in on the move, with Andrew Gillis of cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer noting that the updated branding represents a creative shift from tradition. He pointed to recent examples elsewhere, such as Western Kentucky, where sport-specific logos have resonated with fans and helped drive merchandise sales. Notre Dame’s approach aims to blend heritage with contemporary design to boost fan engagement and commercial opportunities.
What this means for fans: In addition to fresh looks for football, upcoming sport-specific logos could appear across other Notre Dame programs in the coming years, expanding the university’s visual identity while continuing to honor the Fighting Irish legacy. Expect new merchandise drops tied to each sport-specific mark, offering collectors and supporters more ways to show their pride. The initiative reflects a broader trend among major programs to refresh branding in ways that appeal to modern audiences while preserving historical significance.
Summary: Notre Dame has introduced a football-specific leprechaun logo as the first of several sport-focused marks planned for the 2025-26 cycle, designed in-house and inspired by athletes’ running styles. It signals a new branding era intended to enhance fan connection and merchandise appeal while honoring a storied tradition. The upcoming lineup of logos for other sports is anticipated to follow in the near future.