Touchdown! Dublin Welcomes Over 24,000 International Fans for Aer Lingus College Football Classic Game Week

City-wide events and activations set to celebrate the clash between Kansas State University and Iowa State University as the 2025 College Football season kicks off in Ireland.

The energy is palpable across the capital as Dublin officially enters game week for the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Over 24,000 International fans are set to arrive this week to witness the highly anticipated clash between the Kansas State ‘Wildcats’ and the Iowa State ‘Cyclones’. The game, which marks the official start of the 2025 U.S. College Football season, also known as Week Zero, will kick off at 5:00 PM on Saturday, August 23rd, in a vibrant Aviva Stadium. Fans still have a chance to be part of one of football’s most famous rivalries, known as ‘Farmageddon’; there are limited tickets available on ticketmaster.ie/collegefootball for what promises to be a pulsating game.

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic has cemented its reputation as being #MuchMoreThanAGame; it represents a week-long celebration of transatlantic connections, encompassing business, cultural, political and community events. From Wednesday, August 20th, a comprehensive schedule of activities and events will unfold across the city, offering a unique and diverse range of entertainment for visiting fans and locals alike.

As title sponsor, Aer Lingus plays a pivotal role in the event’s success. The airline is responsible for flying both the Kansas State University and Iowa State University teams, their coaching staff, and delegations to Dublin on specially chartered flights this week. Both teams are travelling with 125 members of their cheer squad and bands, adding to the celebratory atmosphere in Dublin this week.

The excitement extends beyond the Aviva Stadium. Key events for fans include the high-energy Pep Rallies for both universities, tailgating pubs, brought to you by Guinness and Teeling Whiskey, will be active all week, including iconic Dublin pubs such as The Old Store House and Dame Tavern to name a few. The Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) high school games take place in Energia Park on Friday, August 22nd. This year’s GIFT will feature a compelling double-header: New Jersey’s ‘The Hun School’ will face the NFL Academy UK, followed by a match-up between Pennsylvania’s ‘The Kiski School’ and the U19 ‘Irish Wolfhounds’.

Further reinforcing the event’s wider impact, the week will feature numerous events designed to strengthen Irish-U.S. ties, including agricultural, and political events and meetups as well as high-level business networking functions, and academic symposiums.

Spectators attending the game are encouraged to be in their seats by 4:15 PM to enjoy the full pre-game spectacle and atmosphere that the teams and organisers will bring to the Aviva Stadium. A new addition to this year’s event will see the debut of ‘Celtic The Brave’ the official mascot of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. A full schedule of events can be found on the Official Game Week App.

“We are thrilled to once again showcase the very best of college football here in Dublin,” said Padraic O’Kane, Director and Co-Founder of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. “The passion and excitement that this event generates is truly remarkable, and we are delighted to welcome fans from all over the world to experience the unique atmosphere of a game day in Ireland.’

For those still wishing to be part the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic game experience, a limited number of tickets are available for purchase via https://www.ticketmaster.ie/collegefootball

Official Merchandise for the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic is also now available to purchase online with options for delivery or click and collect. Physical stores will be open across game week in both the Aviva Stadium and at the EPIC Museum.

Below is a highlight of some of the key events taking place in the run-up to Game-Day.

Sunday 17th August

• 00PM G.I.F.T (Global Ireland Football Tournament) Coaching Clinic

Monday 18th – Sunday 24th

• All Day: Official Iowa State Tailgating Pubs open
• All Day: Official K-State Tailgating Pubs open
• All Day: Official Aer Lingus College Football Classic Tailgating Pubs open

Wednesday 20th August

• 00PM: Pro Football Ireland CFB/NFL Season Preview Night with Phoebe Schecter at 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
• 30 PM: ‘Carnival de Leop’ at 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 at Kildare Village

• 3:30 PM: G.IFT Game: The Hun School (NJ) vs. NFL Academy UK, Energia Park
• 3:30 PM – 5:30PM: 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 Pep Rally
• Iowa State University Pep Rally

Saturday 23rd August

• 12:00 PM: Dublin City Council Dublin City Fleadh
• 2:30 PM: Hospitality Gates Open, Aviva Stadium
• 3:00PM: 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