This August, Dublin once again becomes the home of college football in Ireland, as the Aer Lingus College Football Classic 2025 kicks off at the Aviva Stadium. On Saturday, 23rd August, the Kansas State Wildcats will face the Iowa State Cyclones in what promises to be one of the most exciting American football games ever played outside the U.S. For us here in Ireland, welcoming college football isn’t just about sport, it’s about friendship, heritage, and a shared celebration between our two nations.
Photo Credit: https://collegefootballireland.com
What is College Football and Why is it in Dublin?
For those less familiar, college football is one of the biggest sports in the United States, drawing crowds of over 80,000 every week. In Ireland, the sport is newer to many, but in recent years it has become a tradition to open the U.S. season right here in Dublin.
The Aer Lingus American Football Classic 2025 is no ordinary fixture. It marks Week Zero of the college football season, the very first game of the year. Hosting these matches introduces the excitement of college football to new audiences, while giving American fans a chance to experience Ireland’s famous hospitality.
Kansas State vs Iowa State at the Aviva Stadium
This year’s game is particularly special. The Kansas State Wildcats vs Iowa State Cyclones clash is being billed as the most competitive college football game ever played outside the U.S., with both teams ranked in the Top 25.
Kick-off is set for 5 pm Irish Time on Saturday, 23rd August at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, with ESPN broadcasting live to an estimated 4.5 million U.S. viewers. Here at home, though, the energy will be unmatched as tens of thousands of fans fill the stands.
Over 24,000 international visitors are expected in Dublin for the big game, 22,000 of them travelling from America, making it a massive boost for local tourism, hotels, restaurants, and pubs. Beyond the sport, the Aer Lingus American Football Classic is a major driver for the Irish economy. According to recent reports, the 2025 game will generate over €130 million for Dublin and the wider economy.
Photo Credit: https://collegefootballireland.com
The History of College Football in Ireland
This isn’t the first time Ireland has hosted American football. The tradition began in 1988 when Boston College took on the Army Black Knights in Dublin. The aim was simple: to celebrate the Irish roots of many U.S. colleges while boosting cultural and tourist ties between the two nations.
Since then, Dublin has welcomed some of the biggest names in U.S. college football, including Notre Dame, Navy, Nebraska, and Northwestern. With over 40 million Americans of Irish descent, games here often feel like a homecoming.
In 2023, when Notre Dame played Navy in Dublin, more than 40,000 Fighting Irish fans filled the capital, proof that the Aer Lingus College Football Classic has become much more than a game.
A Week of Celebration in Dublin
The Aviva Stadium may be the centerpiece, but the celebrations will spill across the city. Fans can expect a week-long festival of American football in Dublin, with pep rallies in Merrion Square, Guinness-sponsored “tailgating pubs” for both teams, and live entertainment throughout the capital. Adding to the spectacle, both universities will bring 125 members each of their bands and cheer squads, and an Aer Lingus flyover of the Aviva Stadium is set to wow the crowd before kick-off.
Photo Credit: https://www.dublintown.ie
A Warm Irish Welcome
As Kansas State and Iowa State prepare to clash, Ireland is ready to say céad míle fáilte to our American visitors.
College football in Dublin has become something truly unique, mixing the passion of U.S. sport with the warmth and craic of Irish hospitality. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering the game for the first time, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic 2025 will be a grand day out and an unforgettable celebration for both nations.
So grab your jersey, enjoy a pint, and join us at the Aviva. Ireland is proud to host, and prouder still to welcome you.
