A giant inflatable American football drifting along the River Liffey at the weekend turned a few heads. It also signalled the latest chapter in Dublin City Council’s partnership with the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

It gave a playful platform for newly elected Lord Mayor Ray McAdam to launch his term with a clear focus on sport and community engagement.

Timed to coincide with Independence Day celebrations in the United States, the spectacle formed part of a wider promotional campaign to build anticipation for the August 23rd match at Aviva Stadium between the Kansas State University Wildcats and the Iowa State University Cyclones.

The game, a key fixture in the U.S. Big 12 Conference, will attract over 40,000 fans to the games, more than half of them flying in from the United States. The overall economic impact of the event is estimated to be around €150 million.

“This game is about more than what happens on the pitch,” said new Mayor Ray McAdam. “It’s about community, culture, and connection – and I’m proud to see Dublin at the centre of it.”

Elected on June 30th, McAdam has wasted no time in setting out his priorities, placing sport firmly on the agenda under the theme “Celebrating Dublin.”

His “Get Dublin Moving” initiative aims to promote greater access to physical activity across all age groups and communities, using sport as a lever for inclusion and wellbeing.

“I think given the challenges we have in the city in terms of integration and inclusion, sport can be the great unifier,” he told the Irish Times shortly after taking office.

“We want to make Dublin a city that’s easy and welcoming to be active in, whether you’re five or seventy-five.”

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic, which has become a flagship event in Ireland’s sporting calendar, is backed by Aer Lingus, Dublin City Council, Grant Thornton, Amgen, the Irish Government and a significant number of other blue-chip partners.

This year’s fixture will be the fourth of five games to be hosted under an initial agreement, which is currently being negotiated for extension.

It is a key element of Ireland’s long-term vision to position the country as a premier destination for international sporting events.

While the match itself is a major draw, the event’s real value lies in the wider programme it brings: fan events, pep rallies, alumni gatherings, business forums, and community outreach initiatives. The goal is to create an immersive celebration of Irish-American connections, with sport at its core.

For Dublin City Council, it’s a showcase of creative public engagement and a reminder that sport is as much about placemaking and civic pride as it is about competition.

And for the business community, it’s another clear signal that sport remains a powerful catalyst for tourism, international diplomacy, and economic growth.

With just over six weeks to go before kick-off, the countdown is well and truly on. And if the floating football is anything to go by, Dublin’s welcome will be as bold and imaginative as ever.

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