There is a buzz around Dublin City Centre as the clock ticks down to the College Football Classic taking place on Saturday evening at the Aviva Stadium.

An estimated 13,000 fans of Northwestern and Nebraska have flown into the country, generating a substantial economic benefit and kickstarting a return to US travel impacted by Covid and the war in Ukraine.

The Red of Nebraska and the Purple of Northwestern stand out and Dublin has been putting on a show to amuse and entertain ahead of the big game.

Driving past The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge last night our eye was caught by the dressing-up they had done and the custom they were attracting.

It is the same across the city with hotels claiming it as their busiest weekend of the summer.

The tagline of the series is “More than a Game” and today will see a very special lunch take place in the Round Room of the Mansion House where Gwynne Shotwell, President and CEO of Elon Musk’s Space Exploration project SpaceX will be the keynote speaker.

She is a Trustee and alumni of Northwestern and will be in good company with wealthy and powerful people for the gathering of the Ireland-US CEO Club Lunch.

In addition to the US fan base, there is expected to be an additional 20,000 fans from Ireland and Europe for the game which is the first in a five-year programme that will next year see the storied Notre Dame come to town and play against Navy.

The series is backed by Aer Lingus, Bord Fáilte and Dublin City Council with additional sponsorship from Aon, Glen Dimplex, Grant Thornton, Horizon, Kerry Group, Sysco, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA.

The government has been to the fore in ensuring the series survived having to be pushed back two years and the driving force of Corporate.ie have been relentless in ensuring the highest of quality for what will be one of the sporting and business highlights of the summer.

This is a serious game, the opening match of the College Football Season and even with a morning time start back in the States, it will attract a live TV audience as big as the entire population of Ireland.

The Pep Rallies for the teams which will include marching bands and cheerleading performances will take place at 3 PM in Merrion Square for Northwestern and 90 minutes later at the same venue for Nebraska.

It promises to be some event.