College Football Classic Kicks Off in Dublin with Excitement

Excitement is palpable in Dublin as the city prepares to host the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic on August 23. Fans, players, cheer teams, and band members have begun arriving for the highly anticipated matchup between the Kansas State University Wildcats and the Iowa State University Cyclones. This year’s event features one of college football’s most intense rivalries known as ‘Farmageddon,’ taking place at the Aviva Stadium.

A Unique Cultural Exchange

This year’s classic promises a vibrant cultural exchange, with over 22,000 fans expected to travel from the United States and other parts of Europe. Aer Lingus, the title sponsor, will unveil a new commercial during the ESPN broadcast of the game, showcasing a humorous take on Irish culture. In the advertisement, team mascots Willie the Wildcat and Cy the Cardinal swap the football field for a lively Irish pub, highlighting Ireland’s renowned hospitality.

“Aer Lingus is proud to fly the ‘Wildcats’ and the ‘Cyclones’ to Ireland for the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic,” said Susanne Carberry, Chief Customer Officer at Aer Lingus. “This event is a powerful showcase of Ireland’s famous hospitality, reaching a vast audience across our key North American market.”

Logistical Marvel of the Event

The logistics behind the Aer Lingus College Football Classic are extensive. Special charter flights have transported players, coaches, and cheerleaders from the U.S. to Ireland. In addition to these charters, many fans are utilizing Aer Lingus’ scheduled transatlantic services from various American cities. To accommodate the teams, the airline transported 947 pieces of baggage, including 278 sports gear items and 136 musical instruments.

Furthermore, approximately 16 tonnes of cargo—around 8 tonnes per team—was moved from both universities via Aer Lingus’ cargo services. This level of preparation underscores the significant investment and effort that goes into hosting such a major sporting event.

The economic impact of the classic is substantial. According to a report by Grant Thornton, the game is projected to generate over €130 million for the local Irish economy. This brings the total economic contribution from the first four games in the series to a remarkable €512 million, highlighting the event’s value as a unique intersection of sports and tourism.

As the weekend unfolds, Dublin will be transformed into a festival atmosphere, featuring pep rallies, tailgates, live broadcasts, and various cultural experiences that blend Irish and American traditions. Fans looking to attend can still find a limited number of tickets available through ticketmaster.ie/collegefootball.

Following a record-breaking audience of 5 million viewers last year, ESPN will once again broadcast the game live across the United States, promising to bring the excitement of this unique sporting event to a wider audience.

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic stands as a celebration of sport, travel, and cultural connection, making it an event for all members of the family. For more information about the classic and the full schedule of events, visit the official Aer Lingus College Football Classic website.