The energy is palpable across Dublin as the city officially ramps up for the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

Over 24,000 international fans are either here already or on their way to witness Saturday’s clash between the Kansas State Wildcats and the Iowa State Cyclones at the Aviva Stadium.

The game, which kicks off at 5:00 PM on Saturday, August 23rd, marks the start of the 2025 U.S. College Football season, also known as Week Zero.

Fans still have the chance to be part of what is known in American football as Farmageddon, one of the sport’s most famous rivalries, with limited tickets remaining at ticketmaster.ie/collegefootball.

On this week’s Sport for Business Podcast, event co-founders Padraic O’Kane and John Anthony spoke about the growing momentum behind the Classic, which has become much more than a game. The week-long festival of sport, culture, business, and community has cemented Ireland as the European home of college football and as a showcase of transatlantic connections.

“As Padraic O’Kane told us on the Podcast, the passion and excitement that the Aer Lingus College Football Classic generates is remarkable, and the welcome from Dublin is a big part of that experience,” said Sport for Business’ Rob Hartnett.

A Celebration Beyond the Game

From Wednesday, August 20th, Dublin will come alive with a full schedule of events. Highlights include high-energy Pep Rallies, official tailgating pubs supported by Guinness and Teeling Whiskey, and the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) at Energia Park on Friday, featuring a double-header with U.S. high schools taking on the NFL Academy UK and Ireland’s U19 Wolfhounds.

Aer Lingus, as title sponsor, plays a central role in the event, flying both universities’ teams, staff, and 250 members of their marching bands and cheer squads to Dublin on special charter flights. Their arrival will add further colour and pageantry to a city already buzzing with anticipation.

The programme also extends into business, political, agricultural, and academic spheres, with high-level networking and cultural events running alongside the sporting action.

New Additions

A new feature for 2025 will be the debut of Celtic The Brave, the official mascot of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, who will be unveiled to fans in the lead-up to Saturday’s game.

Fans attending the Aviva are encouraged to be in their seats by 4:15 PM to experience the full pre-game spectacle, including the university marching bands and entertainment.

Official merchandise is now on sale both online and at game week pop-up shops, with outlets at the Aviva Stadium and EPIC Museum.

“Game week is finally here, and Dublin is ready,” said O’Kane. “We are delighted to once again showcase the very best of college football, and to welcome fans from all over the world to experience a unique game day atmosphere in Ireland.”

 

 

Aer Lingus College Football Classic – Game Week Schedule

Wednesday 20th August

8:00 PM – Pro Football Ireland CFB/NFL Season Preview Night with Phoebe Schecter, JR Mahons

Thursday 21st August

5:00 PM – Visiting High Schools Pep Rally

5:00 PM – High School Game: Bondurant High School vs. Local Irish Team, Terenure

5:00 PM – High School Game: Southeast Polk High School vs. Local Irish Team, Terenure

5:30 PM – Carnival de Leop, Leopardstown Racecourse

8:00 PM – High School Scrimmage: The Hun School vs. Local Irish Team, UCD Hockey Stadium

Friday 22nd August

All Day – The Ultimate Irish Experience, Kildare Village

12:00 PM – Ireland–US CEO Club Lunch, Mansion House

3:30 PM – G.I.F.T. Game: The Hun School (NJ) vs. NFL Academy UK, Energia Park

3:30 – 5:30 PM – Nat Coombs Show Meet & Greet, Teeling Whiskey

7:00 PM – G.I.F.T. Game: The Kiski School (PA) vs. U19 Irish Wolfhounds, Energia Park

7:00 PM – Football Bromance – Meet and Greet, JR Mahons

Pep Rallies – Kansas State University & Iowa State University

Saturday 23rd August – Game Day

12:00 PM – Dublin City Council Dublin City Fleadh

2:30 PM – Hospitality Gates Open, Aviva Stadium

3:00 PM – Premium Gates Open, Aviva Stadium

3:15 PM – University Bands March to the Stadium

3:30 PM – General Admission Gates Open, Aviva Stadium

5:00 PM – KICK-OFF: Kansas State vs. Iowa State, Aviva Stadium

Sunday 24th August

All Day – Kildare Village: The Ultimate Irish Experience

All Day – Dublin City Council Dublin City Fleadh
 

SPORT FOR BUSINESS AUTUMN EVENTS

On Wednesday, September 10th, we will host a special event looking at Future Proofing Irish Sport, including the use of AI in sport. Then on September 25th we will host our Annual Children in Sport Conference, on October 14th, 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.

Find out More about Our Sport for Business Events Programme Here

BOOK YOUR EARLY BIRD TICKETS FOR THESE EVENTS HERE

 

The Latest Sport for Business Podcasts

 

Further Reading for Sport for Business members:

Check out more of our Sport for Business coverage of US Sport

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS

Aer Lingus, Dublin City Council, and the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, as well as all the leading sporting and business organisations in and around the world of sport are among the 300+ members of the Sport for Business community.  

This includes all of the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies, individuals interested in our world, and an increasing number from beyond these shores taking a keen interest in Ireland.  

Find out more about becoming a member today.

Or sign up for our twice-daily bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.

Sign up for our News Bulletins here.