The University of Notre Dame Athletics Department unveiled a fresh take on its iconic Leprechaun logo, marking the first update to the design in over six decades. This football-specific logo, depicting the Leprechaun running with a football, is the first in a series of sport-specific marks planned for each of Notre Dame’s varsity sports. The announcement, made just ten days before the Fighting Irish’s season opener against Miami, has sparked a mix of excitement and debate among fans.
The Leprechaun logo, a secondary spirit mark for Notre Dame athletics, first appeared on the cover of Time magazine on November 20, 1964, featuring then-head coach Ara Parseghian. Since then, it has become a global symbol of the Fighting Irish’s tenacity and determination. The original design, with the Leprechaun’s fists raised in a fighting stance, has been synonymous with Notre Dame’s football program, which has claimed national championships in 1966, 1973, 1977, and 1988.
The new logo, designed in-house by Fighting Irish Media, shifts the focus from fighting to football. The Leprechaun’s fists are lowered, now clutching a football as he charges forward. This redesign was inspired by the running styles and fundamentals of former and current Notre Dame student-athletes, including standout players like Raghib Ismail, Manti Te’o, Kyren Williams, and Xavier Watts. According to Notre Dame’s press release, the logo “represents the tenacious and determined spirit of the Fighting Irish, a relentless desire to seize every opportunity with unity, clarity, and purpose.”
This football-specific logo is the first step in a broader initiative to create unique marks for each of Notre Dame’s 26 varsity sports. The university plans to roll out additional sport-specific Leprechaun logos throughout the 2025-26 school year and beyond. This move aims to celebrate the individuality of each athletic program while maintaining the cohesive identity of the Fighting Irish. The new logo will appear on the sidelines during home games and is already featured on merchandise available through Notre Dame’s official online store, in partnership with Under Armour.
Notre Dame’s primary athletic identifier remains the iconic ND monogram, standardized in 2015, which is used across all sports. The Leprechaun, while beloved, is a secondary mark reserved primarily for athletics and licensing contexts, distinct from the university’s academic logos like the Academic Mark, University Seal, and Golden Dome.
The timing of the logo release aligns with heightened anticipation for the 2025 football season. Ranked No. 6 in the AP preseason poll, Notre Dame is coming off a strong 2024 campaign that saw them reach the national championship game, where they fell to Ohio State 34-23. The Fighting Irish open their season on August 31 against No. 10 Miami, with their first home game against Texas A&M on September 13, to be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
As Notre Dame continues to evolve its athletic identity, the new Leprechaun logo represents both a nod to tradition and a bold step forward. Whether it becomes a beloved addition or remains a point of contention, it underscores the university’s commitment to innovation while staying rooted in its storied legacy.
