Notre Dame unlikely to play Shamrock Series in 2017

Notre Dame is unlikely to play the Shamrock Series in 2017, with a return probable in 2018.

"In all likelihood we will not do one in '17, because that's the opening of the (Notre Dame Stadium renovation project) Crossroads and we want to maximize the number of home games, but we anticipate doing it in subsequent years," athletic director Jack Swarbrick said Wednesday at the College Football Playoff spring meetings, according to Heather Dinich of ESPN.

The Shamrock Series sees Notre Dame play one home game outside of South Bend each year, allowing its fans in other parts of the country to see their team play. The annual event also includes organized festivities before the game.

The Irish have been playing the series since 2009, and have played home games away from home in San Antonio, New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, and Boston. This year's game will take place in San Antonio for the second time.

"It's been phenomenal," Swarbrick said of the series. "We have a lot of people who annually target that game and make it one where they get together with former classmates and really plan their years around it. It's been good."