DUBLIN is about to welcome up to 24,000 American fans for the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
On August 23rd, Kansas State University’s Wildcats will face Iowa State University’s Cyclones in what’s being billed as the most competitive US college football game ever played outside of America.
Known by fans as “Farmageddon”, this longstanding rivalry between Kansas State and Iowa State will play out at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, kicking off at 5 PM Irish time.
The game marks the first-ever Big 12 Conference matchup to be played in Ireland and will open the 2025 college football season during “Week Zero”.
ESPN is set to broadcast the game live to an estimated 4.5 million viewers in the US.
The event is expected to deliver a major windfall for Ireland’s economy.
According to Grant Thornton’s Post Game Economic Impact Report, the 2025 Classic is expected to generate over €130 million.
This includes spending by over 24,000 international visitors, many of whom plan to stay in Ireland for an average of seven nights and explore at least three different places across the island.
Combined with the €382 million generated by the previous three Aer Lingus College Football Classic games, this year’s event will push the total economic impact of the series to over €500 million.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke praised the event as “much more than a football game”, calling it a “celebration of culture, connection, and economic opportunity”.
He emphasised the long-term benefits of the media exposure, pointing out that it places Ireland’s tourism offering “in the shop window” for future US travellers.
In the lead-up to kickoff, people can expect a full schedule of festivities, including traditional American-style tailgating parties and the much-loved band march from the RDS to the Aviva Stadium.
Meanwhile, a parallel slate of business and diplomatic events will take place throughout the week, including the high-profile Irish-US CEO Club, which will host up to 450 senior executives from both sides of the Atlantic.
The Classic is supported by Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.
Their coordinated effort is part of a broader plan to position Ireland as the premier European destination for American football and international sporting events.
Aer Lingus, the title sponsor of the event, views the game as a bridge between cultures and continents.
“The Classic is a special event that celebrates sport, tradition, and transatlantic connection,” said Susanne Carberry, Chief Customer Officer at Aer Lingus.
“We’re proud to play a role in making these moments possible, connecting people, places and possibilities through the power of sport.”
Previous College Football Classics have seen knock-on benefits for golf resorts, rural towns, and cultural destinations across Ireland, as American fans often use the opportunity to explore beyond Dublin.
With record-breaking attendance, the 2025 game is shaping up to be a flagship moment for Irish tourism and business outreach.