The Aer Lingus College Football Classic returned to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium this past weekend and delivered once again — both on the field and far beyond it.

The clash between Kansas State University’s Wildcats and Iowa State University’s Cyclones, or ‘Farmageddon’ as it is known, is one of the sport’s longest rivalries, ending with a 24–21 victory for the Cyclones, a sell-out stadium, and a global television audience that underlined Ireland’s reputation as a prime stage for international sport.

Grant Thornton’s preliminary report values the direct economic impact of the event at more than €130 million, a figure that cements the game’s significance well beyond the final score.

Global Viewership and Sporting Drama

The game was broadcast live on ESPN in the United States and drew a peak audience of 4.7 million viewers, making it the most-watched game of college football’s ‘week zero.’

Its average of 4.01 million viewers placed it as the second-most watched sports telecast of the weekend, behind only Sunday’s PGA Tour Championship on NBC.

Most of the audience came from Iowa and Kansas — markets new to Ireland’s tourism and investment outreach.

Sell-Out Stadium and International Visitors

The Aviva Stadium was filled to capacity with 47,226 fans, of which almost 26,000 travelled internationally. Among these were more than 22,000 visitors from the United States who stayed an average of seven nights, along with 3,089 visitors from 19 other countries.

This blend of sport and tourism is central to the strategy behind the Classic. With fans staying longer and spending more, the benefits are spread across accommodation, restaurants, attractions, and regional destinations.

More Than a Game

 

 

For the city and the whole country, the impact stretches far beyond the white lines of the pitch.  This is especially true at a time when relations between Ireland and the US have been strained.

“What we witnessed was the essence of sport through two sets of clashing fans delivering a once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere inside The Aviva Stadium,” said Padraic O’Kane, Co-Founder of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

“This year’s sold-out stadium and strong viewership figures highlights the growing global appeal and further cements Dublin as the European Home of College Football.”

“The Classic is truly #MuchMoreThanAGame and we saw this across game week as the spirit and passion of college football took over not only Dublin but the Island of Ireland.”

“The immediate and long-term economic benefits to Ireland are significant, and we are excited to build on this momentum in the years ahead.”

That “Much More Than a Game” theme was evident throughout the week, with more than 40 business, academic, political, community, social and sporting events staged around Dublin.

These ranged from corporate gatherings to grassroots initiatives, creating connections that extend far beyond the gridiron.

Travel, Culture and Experience

Official travel packages curated by On Location proved another highlight, blending premium matchday access with cultural immersion. Fans enjoyed welcome parties, excursions, guided tours, and central Dublin hotel stays, with sales of multi-day packages up 12% year-on-year.

“The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is such a highly anticipated kick-off of the college football season,” said John Anthony, Co-Founder of the Classic and Executive VP of On Location.

“Our guests witnessed a highly competitive matchup between two ranked teams with College Football Playoff aspirations and thoroughly enjoyed the unmatched charm and wonder of Ireland.”

“It is a truly unique experience, and we are already looking forward to next season’s clash between TCU and UNC.”

Looking Ahead to 2026

With 2025’s edition already set, attention is turning to 2026, when Texas Christian University (TCU) will face the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Dublin. UNC are led by legendary coach Bill Belichick, whose track record includes eight Super Bowl wins and the nurturing of stars such as Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski.

The fixture, scheduled for Saturday, August 29th, 2026, promises another exceptional blend of elite sport, cultural exchange, and economic impact.

The Organisers

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is promoted and organised by Irish American Events Ltd, a joint venture between Corporate.ie in Ireland and On Location in the United States.

Corporate.ie, founded in 2002, has been instrumental in establishing American Football as a regular fixture in Ireland since 2012. Meanwhile, On Location is a global leader in premium experiences, delivering hospitality at the world’s most iconic sporting events, from the Super Bowl to the Olympic Games.

With stakeholders including Aer Lingus, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, and Dublin City Council, the game has grown into a fixture that delivers for sport, tourism, and business in equal measure.

 

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