Notre Dame Selects Four New Leprechaun Mascots

The university's iconic mascot will have a fresh crop of students bringing the spirit to games next season.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:49am

A cubist, geometric illustration depicting the Notre Dame Leprechaun mascot costume broken down into overlapping planes of emerald green, gold, and navy blue, capturing the spirit and tradition of this beloved college sports icon.The selection of four new Notre Dame Leprechauns will bring a fresh energy and spirit to the university's iconic mascot tradition.Notre Dame Today

Notre Dame has announced the selection of four new students to serve as the university's famous Leprechaun mascot for the upcoming 2026-2027 sports season. The school held tryouts earlier this year, with nine finalists chosen from a pool of applicants. After a rigorous review process, the four new Leprechauns were officially unveiled in a recent Instagram post.

Why it matters

The Notre Dame Leprechaun is one of the most iconic and beloved mascots in college sports, with a long tradition dating back decades. The selection of new Leprechauns is an important annual event that helps maintain the spirit and energy the mascot brings to gameday experiences for students and fans alike.

The details

Each year, Notre Dame students try out to become the next Leprechaun, creating their own custom outfits complete with a shillelagh. After an extensive evaluation process, the university has chosen four new Leprechauns from a pool of nine finalists to don the green suit and hat for the upcoming season.

  • Notre Dame held Leprechaun tryouts earlier this year.
  • The nine finalists were announced in a recent Instagram post.
  • The four new Leprechauns will begin their duties at the start of the 2026-2027 sports season.

The players

Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame, a private Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, Indiana, is home to the iconic Leprechaun mascot.

Leprechaun Mascot

Notre Dame's official mascot, the Leprechaun, is one of the most recognizable figures in college sports and has a long-standing tradition at the university.

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The takeaway

The selection of four new Leprechauns ensures the continuation of Notre Dame's beloved mascot tradition, which brings energy, spirit, and pride to the university's sports teams and fan base.