Dublin’s College Football Classic delivers €130m economic boost as US viewership surges and game sells out for third time in a row.
Ireland’s positioning as a host for international sporting events received a significant endorsement this weekend as the Aer Lingus College Football Classic delivered its third consecutive sell-out.
This resulted in an estimated €130m in direct economic impact, according to preliminary figures from Grant Thornton.
“The immediate and long-term economic benefits to Ireland are significant, and we are excited to build on this momentum in the years ahead”
The fixture, held at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, saw Iowa State University’s Cyclones edge out Kansas State University’s Wildcats in a 24–21 thriller. The game attracted 47,226 attendees, including nearly 26,000 international visitors. Of those, 22,910 were U.S. tourists who stayed in Ireland for an average of seven nights, contributing substantially to the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Most-watched college football game
Broadcast live on ESPN, the game peaked at 4.7 million viewers in the United States, making it the most-watched college football game of the opening weekend. Average viewership reached 4.01 million, second only to the TOUR Championship final round on NBC. The majority of viewers were concentrated in Kansas and Iowa, expanding Ireland’s visibility among U.S. audiences.
Padraic O’Kane, co-founder of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, described the atmosphere at Aviva Stadium as “once in a lifetime,” adding that the event “further cements Dublin as the European home of college football.”
“What we witnessed was the essence of sport through two sets of clashing fans delivering a once in a lifetime atmosphere inside The Aviva Stadium” said O’Kane.
The week-long programme surrounding the game included more than 40 business, academic, and cultural events under the “Much More Than A Game” initiative, designed to foster international collaboration and showcase Ireland’s broader appeal beyond sport.
“This year’s sold-out stadium and strong viewership figures highlights the growing global appeal and further cements Dublin as the European Home of College Football. The Classic is truly #MuchMoreThanAGame and we saw this across game week as the spirit and passion of college football took over not only Dublin but the Island of Ireland. The immediate and long-term economic benefits to Ireland are significant, and we are excited to build on this momentum in the years ahead.”
Official travel packages curated by On Location, the US partner in the organising joint venture Irish American Events Ltd, saw a 12% year-on-year increase in demand for multi-day experiences. These packages blended sport with cultural immersion, including guided tours, premium seating, and city-centre accommodation.
“The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is such a highly anticipated kick-off of the college football season,” said John Anthony, co-founder of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic and executive VP of On Location.
“Our guests witnessed a highly competitive matchup between two ranked teams with College Football Playoff aspirations and thoroughly enjoyed the unmatched charm and wonder of Ireland. It is a truly unique experience, and we are already looking forward to next season’s clash between TCU and UNC.”
2026 edition to kick off
Looking ahead, the 2026 edition will feature Texas Christian University (TCU) and the University of North Carolina (UNC), scheduled for Saturday, 29 August. UNC is led by eight-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick, whose presence is expected to draw significant attention.
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is promoted by Irish American Events Ltd, a joint venture between Corporate.ie and On Location. Principal stakeholders include Aer Lingus, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, and Dublin City Council.
Corporate.ie, part of EHL Experiences, has played a central role in embedding American football into Ireland’s sporting calendar since 2012. On Location is a global leader in premium hospitality for major events including the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, and Super Bowl.
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