The 2025 U.S. college football season will begin in Dublin as the Aer Lingus College Football Classic returns on Saturday, August 23rd, with a high-stakes clash between Kansas State University (Wildcats) and Iowa State University (Cyclones) in the Aviva Stadium.
The game, which will be broadcast live on ESPN to an estimated audience of 4.5 million, marks a historic first, being the first-ever Big 12 Conference matchup to be played outside the United States.
What sets the Big 12 apart is the intensity of its competition. There are no divisions within the conference, meaning the two best teams at the end of the regular season face off in the Big 12 Championship Game, making every matchup crucial.
Big 12 football is known for high-scoring, fast-paced games, deeply rooted regional rivalries, and passionate fan bases. The conference regularly sends teams to the College Football Playoff and other major bowl games, and it is a key pipeline to the NFL.
Alongside the two teams travelling to Dublin, the Conference also features the Arizona State University, Brigham Young University and the University of Central Florida.
This year’s Dublin game is being billed as the most competitive college football fixture ever staged internationally, with both teams ranked in the top 25 and seen as potential contenders for the 2025 College Football Playoff.
More than 24,000 international visitors are expected in Dublin for the occasion, including 22,000 travelling fans from the U.S..
A final release of tickets is available through Ticketmaster.ie, with locals still able to join in what is expected to be a sold-out spectacle.
A Full Week of Sport, Business and Culture
The game itself is just the headline act in what is shaping up to be a week-long festival of sport, culture and business.
From tailgating events to pep rallies and a spectator flyover by an Aer Lingus aircraft, the city will be awash with colour and noise in true College Football style.
Over 250 performers, including 125 cheerleaders and band members from each university, will take part in pre-game events, including the traditional marching band parade from the RDS to the Aviva Stadium.
Across the city, pubs have been designated as team fan hubs — with the likes of The Old Storehouse, Buskers and Ryans of Beggars Bush hosting Kansas State supporters, and the Dame Tavern, Stag’s Head and Crowes welcoming Iowa State fans.
Dublin’s Merrion Square will be home to key activations including fan zones and pep rallies, while Energia Park will host the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT), a high school showcase linked to the college football series.
Economic and Tourism Impact
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic continues to deliver significant economic benefits.
Grant Thornton projects over €130 million will be generated by this year’s event, with visiting fans expected to stay an average of seven nights and travel to three destinations across the island.
Cumulatively, the four games in the series to date will have generated over €512 million in direct economic impact.
“This is much more than a football game,” said Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. “It’s a celebration of culture, connection and economic opportunity. The College Football Classic puts Ireland in the shop window for U.S. visitors and delivers for our economy, our tourism sector, and our international reputation.”
Legacy and Diplomacy Through Sport
The event also includes a range of academic, political and business engagements, including the Ireland–U.S. CEO Club, which will convene over 450 Irish and American business leaders in Dublin during game week.
“This game has become a key part of the Irish sporting calendar,” said Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. “It strengthens the deep relationship between Ireland and the U.S., helps drive participation in sport, and leaves a lasting legacy across tourism, trade, education, and community engagement.”
Dublin Lord Mayor Ray McAdam echoed those sentiments. “This is an opportunity to showcase our city to the world. The social and economic benefits are immense, and we are proud to host the thousands of visitors who are coming to experience Dublin at its best.”
Aer Lingus at the Heart of the Action
As title sponsor, Aer Lingus continues to play a central role in connecting both sides of the Atlantic through this initiative.
“The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is a celebration of sport, tradition and transatlantic connection,” said Susanne Carberry, Chief Customer Officer at Aer Lingus.
“We’re proud to help make these moments possible – connecting people, places and possibilities through the power of sport.”
Fans can download the official game app for a full schedule of events at collegefootballireland.com/app, with updates available across the week via the game’s digital platforms and social media channels.
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WHAT’S UP NEXT?
Sport for Business is in planning for a number of major events bringing together leaders in Irish Sport and Business across a range of subjects in the second half of the year.
On Thursday, August 28th we will host a special event looking at Future Proofing Irish Sport including the use of AI in sport. Then in September we will host our Annual Children in Sport Conference, in October, our Annual Sport for Social Good Event, in November a new event focused on Sustainability in Sport and in December our 12th Annual Women in Sport Conference, in partnership with Lidl.
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