Aer Lingus College Football Classic held at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 24th August has set new viewership records for Georgia Tech vs Florida State University game, delivered a significant economic impact, highlighting Ireland’s growing reputation as a prime destination for international sporting events.
Aer Lingus College Football Classic Co-Founder, Padraic O’Kane said “We are thrilled with the overwhelming success of this year’s Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, which is #MuchMoreThanAGame. The record-breaking viewership and sold-out game demonstrates the increasing interest in college football and reaffirms Dublin’s position as a top destination for international sporting events. The economic benefits to Ireland, both immediate and long-term, are substantial, and we look forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come.”
According to a preliminary report by Grant Thornton, the direct economic benefit to Ireland from this year’s event is estimated to be over €115 million.
The Aviva Stadium was a sell-out with 47,988 fans in attendance, including 28,406 international visitors.
25,909 US visitors who stayed in Ireland for an average of 7 nights, significantly contributing to the local economy. An additional 2,497 visitors came from 25 other countries, highlighting the global appeal of the event.
The game was broadcast live on ESPN in the United States and attracted five million viewers. This marks ESPN’s highest Week Zero audience since 2019 and sets a new record for a College Football game held in Ireland on any network.
The 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Iowa State and Kansas State is scheduled for August 23rd, 2025. The 2026 game has yet to be announced. The 2027 game has already been confirmed between the Pittsburgh Panthers, closely tied to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Wisconsin Badgers.
Image Credit: Aer Lingus
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