Scotland has its Old Firm derby, England’s East Anglia their Old Farm version and for College Football it’s Gridiron’s Farmageddon… on a Dublin field.
Yes, it’s that time of year again when tailgaters come over in their tens of thousands to Ireland.
For the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic which this year features one of college football’s fiercest rivalries.
College footie fans need no explanation but maybe the rest of us do.
It is, of course, Kansas State University’s ‘Wildcats’ face-off with Iowa State University’s ‘Cyclones’.
Mascots touchdown
The latest iteration of which will take place at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow, August 23.
And with a uniquely Irish flavour with a commercial on the EPSN feed of mascots Willie the Wildcat and Cy the Cardinal.
Swapping the gridiron for a lively Irish pub session.
Now putting on any American Football game is akin to a military exercise and the Aer Lingus game just gets bigger every year.
Aer force Lingus
Aer Lingus operated special charter flights to Ireland, transporting players, coaches, cheerleaders and band members to Ireland.
While hundreds more supporters and friends have travelled on scheduled transatlantic services from cities across the US.
Aer Lingus also transported 947 pieces of baggage to Dublin.
Including 268 pieces of sports gear and 136 band instruments – 84 from Kansas State and 52 from Iowa State.
On top of that 16 tonnes of cargo made the journey from the colleges to Ireland via Aer Lingus’s scheduled cargo services.
Have a craicing time
All worth it though with the game alone projected to generate over €130 million for the Irish economy.
Dublin will be transformed into a festival of American football, with pep rallies, tailgates, live broadcasts, and immersive cultural experiences.
Blending the best of Irish and American traditions.
A full schedule of events as well as updates and key timings can be found on the Official Game Week App.
Following last year’s record-breaking audience of 5 million viewers, ESPN will once again broadcast the game live across the U.S.
Which this year will have a new twist.
Gridiron’s Farmageddon… on a Dublin field.
And it’s just half-time
And will be mega in its own right and a teaser.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers v Minnesota Vikings’ historic first NFL game on September 28.