Aer Lingus College Football Classic
Every year, American college football crosses the Atlantic Ocean and descends upon Dublin, turning the city into a mini USA of gridiron action for a weekend. The event, known as the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, has become a tradition for local American football fans in Ireland, but also for many Irish American’s who come home to their roots. In addition there will be a series of local events to celebrate the game.
2024 Event: Georgia Tech v Florida State – Aviva Stadium – August 24th – 5pm
Florida State enter the game as favourites and have returned after a season where, despite remaining undefeated and clinching the ACC championship, they were excluded from the College Football Playoffs. Mike Novell, head coach, is focusing on a revamped offensive strategy. Former Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei comes in to replace Jordan Travis.
Georgia Tech are looking to build on their seven victories from last season. They are set to take on Florida State for the first time since 2022, when the Seminoles triumphed over the Yellow Jackets with a 41-16 victory. Some questions remain over their defence but they should have enough to make it a tight game with coach Brent Key at the helm.
History of American Football in Dublin
The roots of the College Football Classic can be traced back to 1988 when the first official American college football game took place in Dublin. Known as the “Emerald Isle Classic,” this inaugural match featured the Boston College Eagles and the Army Black Knights. Held in Dublin’s Lansdowne Road Stadium (now Aviva Stadium), the game was a huge success, with over 42,000 fans in attendance. The positive reception paved the way for future games, though it would take several years before the tradition was solidified.
The modern era of the College Football Classic began in 2012 with the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Navy Midshipmen, once again hosted at the Aviva Stadium. This game was a massive hit, both in terms of attendance and media coverage, rekindling the enthusiasm for hosting American college football games in Ireland. Since then, the event has been held almost annually, with teams such as the Penn State Nittany Lions, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and Northwestern Wildcats making the journey to Dublin.
The 2023 Classic: Notre Dame vs. Navy
The 2023 edition of the College Football Classic saw a return to one of the biggest rivalries in college football history: Notre Dame versus Navy. Played in front of a sell out crowd at Aviva Stadium, this game was fiercely competitive on the field and also underscored the popularity of this event on both sides of the Atlantic. With thousands of fans traveling from the United States and numerous enthuastic Irish joining in, the atmosphere in Dublin was fantastic.
For Notre Dame, the game was a significant milestone as it marked their third appearance in Dublin, further cementing their pedigree in this trans-atlantic tradition. The Fighting Irish emerged victorious, continuing their undefeated streak in the College Football Classic.
Tickets for Georgia Tech v Florida State
Unfortunately tickets are sold out, however check out the Game Week App for local events. For example some local bars are decking themselves out in American football themes to support the game. TG4 will be showing the game live. You can check out the website at College Football Ireland for more info.
If you are here for the weekend and are looking for more thing to do while you are then see our guide to some of the top things to do in Dublin.
Getting to the Aviva Stadium
The Avivia Stadium is in the city centre. You can get the DART to Lansdowne Road Station. Dublin Bus routes 4, 7 & 7A also pass by. The closest LUAS is the Charlemont stop but that is still 25 minutes away. We recommend the DART or Bus. Of course, walking is also a good option if you are staying in the city centre. The stadium has a good guide here to all the possibilities.
