Written by the Royal Limo Services dispatch team · Chicago · 24/7 live dispatch
Now booking: Notre Dame vs. Miami, Saturday, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m. ET
The biggest home game left this season, and a night game. All-day Sprinter charters from Chicago: leave around 11 a.m., tailgate, the game, home around 1 a.m. with the same chauffeur.
See the Nov. 7 Sprinter plan | Hold a Sprinter for Nov. 7 | (866) 811-0999
Quick answer: For a Notre Dame home game, most Chicago groups book an all-day Sprinter charter: one chauffeur picks everyone up, drives about 95 miles to South Bend, stays with the van through the tailgate and the game, and drives you home. Plan on 13 to 15 hours door to door. Royal Limo Services runs Sprinter limos for up to 11 or 14 passengers and a Jet Executive Sprinter for up to 8, billed by the hour with a 3-hour minimum on local work. The remaining home games this season are Miami (Sat., Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m. ET), Boston College (Sat., Nov. 14, 3:30 p.m. ET) and SMU (Sat., Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m. ET).
Notre Dame home games are the busiest days of our year. Book the Sprinter first.
Tell us the game, your group size and where everyone starts. We’ll send a written timeline and quote.
Request a Sprinter quote | Call 24/7: (866) 811-0999 | Text: 708-980-6881
In this guide
- Nov. 7 vs. Miami and the other November home games
- Hourly, all-day or one-way: which booking fits
- Which Sprinter fits your group
- Sample game-day timelines from Chicago
- What happens on campus
- Pickups across Chicagoland and from O’Hare and Midway
- How Sprinter charter pricing works
- Who books a game-day Sprinter
- Book the right vehicle for November
- What to send dispatch to book a November game
- Why groups book Royal for Notre Dame
- Quick facts
- Frequently asked questions
- About the dispatch team
Nov. 7 vs. Miami and the other November home games
Saturday, Nov. 7, Notre Dame vs. Miami is the game to book first. It’s the biggest home game left, a 7:30 p.m. ET night kickoff, and the first November date our Sprinters sell out. A night game is also the strongest case for a Sprinter charter: a full afternoon tailgate, a cold walk out after 11 p.m. Eastern and a 95-mile drive home that nobody in your group has to make.
| Nov. 7 Sprinter charter | Chicago time |
|---|---|
| Pickup in Chicago or the suburbs | About 11:00 a.m. |
| Arrive and tailgate | About 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. |
| Kickoff (7:30 p.m. ET) | 6:30 p.m. |
| Game ends, meet the Sprinter | About 10:00 p.m. |
| Home | About 1:00 a.m. |
Read the full Notre Dame vs. Miami Sprinter plan. The other two November home games book the same way:
| Game | Date | Kickoff | Leave Chicago to tailgate | Home in Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | Sat., Nov. 7 | 7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. Chicago | About 11:00 a.m. | About 1:00 a.m. |
| Boston College | Sat., Nov. 14 | 3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. Chicago | About 7:30 a.m. | About 9:00 to 10:30 p.m. |
| SMU | Sat., Nov. 21 | 7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. Chicago | About 11:00 a.m. | About 1:00 a.m. |
Times are typical and depend on traffic and pickup stops. South Bend is one hour ahead of Chicago. All three games air on NBC and Peacock.
Nov. 7 Sprinters are booking now
Tell us your group size and pickup address for the Miami game. We’ll hold a Sprinter and send your all-day charter plan in writing.
Request a Sprinter quote | Call 24/7: (866) 811-0999 | Text: 708-980-6881
Hourly, all-day or one-way: which booking fits
| Booking | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| All-day Sprinter charter | The van and chauffeur stay with your group from first pickup to last drop-off, billed for the hours you use | Game day from Chicago: tailgate, game and ride home in one plan |
| Hourly Sprinter rental | Booked by the hour (3-hour minimum) for a set window | Local legs: a South Bend dinner, a hotel-to-stadium run, a Chicago pre-game meetup |
| Multi-day charter | The same Sprinter and chauffeur for Friday to Sunday | Alumni weekends, families staying in South Bend, corporate hosts |
| One-way transfer | A single ride, quoted per trip | Getting to campus or home from campus when another ride covers the other leg |
For a Chicago group going to a game, the all-day charter is almost always the right call. The drive alone is close to 4 hours round trip, and post-game traffic around campus can add an hour. Paying the same chauffeur to stay with the van means your coolers, coats and bags stay locked in a warm vehicle, and nobody has to find a ride home at midnight. See hourly limo service for how hourly bookings work in Chicago.
Which Sprinter fits your group
| Vehicle | Passengers | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|
| Jet Executive Sprinter | Up to 8 | Lounge-style captain seats, the most legroom; for executives, VIP hosts and families |
| Sprinter limo | 11 or 14 (two layouts) | Limo-style seating facing each other; the classic game-day group van |
| Executive Shuttle Sprinter | Up to 14 | Forward-facing seats with luggage room; alumni clubs and teams |
| Two or more Sprinters | 15 to 28+ | Bigger groups travel in a convoy with one dispatch plan |
Count every seat, including kids, and tell us about coolers, chairs and tailgate gear so we match the right layout. Groups larger than 14 ride in two Sprinters that leave and return together. Browse the full fleet, the Sprinter limo service and Mercedes Sprinter van rental pages for photos and layouts.
Sample game-day timelines from Chicago
South Bend runs on Eastern Time, one hour ahead of Chicago. Every kickoff Notre Dame lists is Eastern, so a 7:30 p.m. kickoff is 6:30 p.m. in Chicago. The times below are typical and assume normal traffic.
Night game (7:30 p.m. ET kickoff: Miami Nov. 7, SMU Nov. 21)
| Chicago time | Eastern time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | First pickup in Chicago or the suburbs |
| 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. | 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. | Arrive in South Bend; tailgate |
| 5:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | Gates open, 90 minutes before kickoff |
| 6:30 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. | Kickoff |
| About 10:00 p.m. | About 11:00 p.m. | Game ends; meet your chauffeur at the agreed spot |
| About 1:00 a.m. | About 2:00 a.m. | Home in Chicago (later with heavy post-game traffic) |
Afternoon game (3:30 p.m. ET kickoff: Boston College Nov. 14)
| Chicago time | Eastern time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. | First pickup |
| 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. | 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. | Arrive; tailgate |
| 1:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. | Gates open |
| 2:30 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | Kickoff |
| About 6:00 p.m. | About 7:00 p.m. | Game ends |
| About 9:00 p.m. | About 10:00 p.m. | Home in Chicago |
Want this timeline built for your group?
We’ll set the pickup times by address, plan the tailgate window and agree the post-game meeting spot before game day.
Request a Sprinter quote | Call 24/7: (866) 811-0999 | Text: 708-980-6881
What happens on campus
- Parking: Notre Dame directs oversized vehicles such as Sprinters to paid bus and RV lots. Dispatch confirms the lot and any parking pass for your van ahead of time, and the fee is shown on your quote.
- Tailgating: your chauffeur stays with the Sprinter, so your food, drinks for the lot and gear stay with the van. Alcohol is not sold or allowed inside Notre Dame Stadium.
- Bags: the stadium has a clear-bag policy. Leave everything else locked in the Sprinter.
- After the game: we agree on one meeting point before kickoff and text it to your group leader. Lots empty slowly, so plan on 45 to 90 minutes before the van is rolling.
- Weather: November nights in South Bend are cold. A heated Sprinter waiting after the game is the main reason groups don’t drive themselves.
Pickups across Chicagoland and from O’Hare and Midway
We pick up anywhere in Chicago and the suburbs: the Loop, the North Shore, the northwest and western suburbs, the south suburbs and Northwest Indiana on the way. A Sprinter can make several stops, so friends from different suburbs ride together. Fans flying in can meet the van at O’Hare or Midway; see O’Hare airport transportation. For a single traveler or a couple, a luxury SUV is the better fit.
How Sprinter charter pricing works
Sprinter rentals are billed by the hour, and local hourly bookings have a 3-hour minimum. A 20% gratuity is added to the hourly total, and taxes and tolls are included. Game-day parking is listed on the quote. Your total depends on:
| What sets the price | Why |
|---|---|
| The vehicle | A Jet Executive Sprinter and a 14-passenger Sprinter limo are priced differently |
| Hours door to door | A night game runs longer than an afternoon game |
| Number of pickup stops | Each extra suburb adds drive time |
| The date | Home games and holiday weekends book up first |
| Overnight or multi-day | A Friday-to-Sunday charter is quoted as one package |
You get one written quote before you book, with no surprises on game day. Request it on the quote page or call (866) 811-0999.
Who books a game-day Sprinter
| Group | What they usually need |
|---|---|
| Alumni and friend groups | One pickup route, a long tailgate and a guaranteed ride home |
| Corporate hosts and clients | Jet Executive Sprinter for guests, an SUV for the host, airport pickups; see corporate limo service |
| Families and parents | Room for kids and bags; multi-day if staying for the weekend |
| Bachelor parties and birthdays | A night game with a Chicago after-party on the way home |
| Travel agents and partners | Group blocks for fly-in fans; see affiliate and partner bookings |
Royal also covers other games and events from Chicago; see sporting event limo service.
Book the right vehicle for November
Sprinters move most Notre Dame groups, and Royal runs three layouts, all Mercedes-Benz and all chauffeur-driven. For smaller groups, a premium SUV or the S-Class does the same all-day job.
| Your group | Book this | Why | Service page |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 to 14 | Sprinter limo (11 or 14) or Executive Shuttle Sprinter (14) | Everyone together; the van is your base in the lot | Mercedes Sprinter van rental |
| Up to 8 | Jet Executive Sprinter | Lounge seats and the most legroom for a 13 to 15 hour day | Chicago luxury Sprinter limo service |
| 15 to 56 | Two to four Sprinters on one plan | Royal doesn’t run buses; a Sprinter convoy leaves, parks and returns together | sporting event limo service |
| 2 to 6 | Premium SUV: Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban | A quieter, faster all-day charter for couples, executives and families | luxury SUV rental |
| 1 to 3 | Mercedes S-Class 2027 | Executive sedan for one or two | S-Class limousine rental |
Escalade + Sprinter: hosts often ride in a chauffeured Escalade while guests take the Sprinter, so the host can leave early or stay late without breaking up the group. Both run on one dispatch plan. See all vehicles on the fleet page and the full Notre Dame game day Sprinter charter guide.
What to send dispatch to book a November game
- Which game: Miami (Nov. 7), Boston College (Nov. 14) or SMU (Nov. 21)
- Number of passengers, including kids
- The vehicle you want, or ask us to match one
- Every pickup address, or flight numbers for airport pickups
- Tailgate yes or no, and how much gear
- Any stops on the way home
- Final drop-off addresses
We send a written timeline and one price, then the chauffeur’s name and number the day before. Request it on the quote page or call (866) 811-0999, 24/7.
Why groups book Royal for Notre Dame
- Owner-run: Royal’s founder is a chauffeur himself and personally vets every driver.
- Background-checked, licensed chauffeurs who know the drive to South Bend and the game-day lots.
- 24/7 live dispatch staffed by real people.
- A 5.0-star rating across more than 1,200 reviews and multiple industry awards.
- One company for the whole group: Sprinters, premium Escalade SUVs and the S-Class 2027.
- Book it all at once: see Notre Dame limo service and hourly limo service.
Quick facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Distance, Chicago to Notre Dame Stadium | About 95 miles |
| Typical drive | About 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours each way, plus game-day traffic |
| Time zone | South Bend is Eastern, 1 hour ahead of Chicago |
| Remaining home games | Miami Nov. 7 (7:30 p.m. ET), Boston College Nov. 14 (3:30 p.m. ET), SMU Nov. 21 (7:30 p.m. ET) |
| Best booking | All-day Sprinter charter with a chauffeur |
| Typical game day length | 13 to 15 hours door to door |
| Sprinters | Jet Executive Sprinter up to 8; Sprinter limo 11 or 14; Executive Shuttle Sprinter up to 14 |
| Pricing | Hourly; 3-hour minimum on local bookings; 20% gratuity added; taxes and tolls included |
| Book | royallimoservices.co/request-quote or (866) 811-0999, 24/7 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rent a Sprinter to a Notre Dame game from Chicago?
Sprinters are billed by the hour, so the total depends on the vehicle, the hours door to door, the number of pickup stops and the date. A 20% gratuity is added and taxes and tolls are included. Request a quote for your exact game and group and you’ll get one written price.
Is it better to book hourly or all day?
For a game from Chicago, all day. The round-trip drive is close to 4 hours and the game and tailgate add 7 to 9 more, so an all-day charter keeps the same chauffeur and van with you the whole time.
How many people fit in a Sprinter?
Our Jet Executive Sprinter seats up to 8, the Sprinter limo comes in 11- and 14-passenger layouts, and the Executive Shuttle Sprinter seats up to 14. Larger groups book two Sprinters.
How long is the drive from Chicago to Notre Dame?
About 95 miles, typically 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours each way in normal traffic. Allow extra time on game day near campus.
What time should we leave Chicago for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff?
Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. Eastern, which is 6:30 p.m. in Chicago. Groups who want a full tailgate leave around 11 a.m. Chicago time; groups who only want the game can leave around 2 p.m.
Does the chauffeur stay with the van during the game?
Yes, on an all-day charter. Your chauffeur stays with the Sprinter, so your bags and gear stay locked inside, and meets you at the agreed spot after the game.
Where does a Sprinter park at Notre Dame?
Notre Dame sends oversized vehicles to paid bus and RV lots. Dispatch confirms the lot and any parking pass ahead of time and lists the fee on your quote.
Can we tailgate from the Sprinter?
Yes. Your group can tailgate at the van in the lot. Alcohol isn’t allowed inside the stadium, and all passengers must follow the lot rules.
Can you pick up from several suburbs?
Yes. A Sprinter can make several pickups across Chicago and the suburbs; each stop adds drive time to the day.
Can fans flying in meet the Sprinter at O’Hare or Midway?
Yes. We track the flights and pick everyone up at the airport before heading to South Bend.
Can we book the Sprinter for the whole weekend?
Yes. A multi-day charter keeps the same Sprinter and chauffeur from Friday arrival to Sunday return and is quoted as one package.
How early should we book?
As soon as you have tickets. Notre Dame home games are among our busiest days, and Sprinters book before SUVs.
About the Royal Limo Services dispatch team
This guide was written by the Royal Limo Services dispatch team, which plans Chicago-to-South Bend game days every season. Royal Limo Services is a Chicago limo and chauffeur company based at 5600 North River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018, minutes from O’Hare, with 24/7 live dispatch staffed by real people. Our founder is a chauffeur himself, personally vets every driver and still oversees service day to day. Every chauffeur is hand-picked, background-checked and licensed, and the company holds a 5.0-star rating across more than 1,200 reviews. Royal also runs blackcarservices.co, its black car division for airport and point-to-point rides, under the same management and standards. Reservations: (866) 811-0999.
Lock in your Sprinter for Nov. 7 before it’s gone
The Miami night game sells out our Sprinters first, then Nov. 14 and Nov. 21. Send the game, group size and pickup address and we’ll confirm your all-day Sprinter charter in writing.
Request a Sprinter quote | Call 24/7: (866) 811-0999 | Text: 708-980-6881
