The Pitt Panthers are returning to Dublin and have been announced as the designated home team against the Wisconsin Badgers for the 2027 Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
Pitt last played a football game outside the United States on December 2nd 1989. when they defeated Rutgers 46-29, in what was known at the time as the Emerald Isle Classic in the Stadium known at the time as Lansdowne Road. Everything changes and yet there is a sense of history rhyming.
The 2027 game is slated for August 28th — Week Zero of the 2027 College Football campaign.
Georgia Tech and Florida State will kick off in August 2024 in the third straight game as part of the annual Aer Lingus College Football Classic game series.
Tickets for this clash will go on sale in Ireland on 14th March 2024. Details of additional future games for 2025 and 2026 will be announced in the spring of 2024.
“We look forward to welcoming two respected universities in the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Wisconsin and their notable football programs to Dublin in 2027,” said Minister for Irish Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin.
“We anticipate an exciting week of leisure, business, academic and sporting events leading up to the game in line with our “Much More Than A Game” ethos.”
“This is an absolutely tremendous opportunity for our football program, not only athletically but also culturally,” added Director of Athletics at Pittsburgh Heather Lyke.
“Visiting a new continent will be a life-changing experience for our student-athletes. The trip to Ireland will be something that members of our program, student-athletes, coaches, staff and also our tremendous donors and fans will always remember.”
“Pitt football will have this memorable international exposure along with the benefit of a national Week Zero television audience.”
Pitt and Wisconsin are scheduled to play twice in a two-year period (2026-27). The initial meeting will be played at the Badgers’ Camp Randall Stadium on Sept. 19, 2026. The Panthers will be the designated home team for the 2027 matchup in Ireland. The teams last met during the 1967 season.
“Dublin is now the international home of College Football and we are proud to welcome Pitt and Wisconsin to the Emerald Isle in 2027,” said Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste, who has a Pittsburgh connection himself through his role prior to taking up the Chain of Office as Head of Marketing and Communications with UPMC.
“These games are a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase all that Dublin City has to offer. There are strong, historic links with Pittsburgh and Ireland and this game will seek to further strengthen them.”
