Notre Dame Dominates Wisconsin at Lambeau, But Fans Win the Day
The final score may not have favored the Wisconsin Badgers, but for the tens of thousands of fans who packed Lambeau Field on Sept. 6, the experience was a win regardless of the scoreboard. Notre Dame cruised to a 41-13 victory over Wisconsin in the Shamrock Series opener, yet the real story was the electric atmosphere that turned the NFL's most hallowed ground into a college football festival.
The game marked a bucket list moment for countless fans from across the country, with 75,929 attendees making their way into Lambeau Field for the neutral-site showdown. While Badgers fans hoped for a repeat of their 2016 upset over LSU, the Fighting Irish proved too strong, pulling away after a competitive first half that saw Wisconsin trailing just 13-10.
Lambeau Field transforms into a college football destination
The atmosphere around the stadium felt more like a Saturday in Madison than a typical Packers game day. Massive marching bands from both universities paraded through the concourses, while the official Notre Dame Leprechaun and Bucky Badger mingled with fans. Unofficial mascots were spotted throughout the grounds, and tailgating spilled beyond the parking lots into the surrounding streets of Green Bay.
Hours before kickoff, pedestrians filled side streets, and a Catholic mass was held in a parking lot at the corner of South Ridge Road and Lombardi Avenue, courtesy of the Notre Dame contingent. The weekend also featured the Badger Bash North in downtown Green Bay and a Notre Dame rally in the Titletown district.
Fans travel from across the nation for a bucket list experience
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