Touchdown Dublin - Counting Down to the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic

Dublin City welcomed players from the University of North Carolina today including Newry native, Adam McGann Gibbs who is set to make his US college football debut on home soil in the Aviva Stadium this August. 

For the fifth consecutive year, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic will be the official opening fixture for the US College Football season. Taking place in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 29 August, this spectacular showcase of American football in Dublin, Ireland is between the TCU Horned Frogs, Texas and the North Carolina’s Tar Heels, UNC.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Ray McAdam said: “Dublin is proud to once again welcome the Aer Lingus College Football Classic back to our capital city this summer. Over recent years, this spectacular event has become a major part of our sporting and cultural calendar, showcasing Dublin City as a vibrant international hub for sport, tourism and friendship.It is especially exciting to see Newry native Adam McGann Gibbs preparing to make his college football debut in the Aviva Stadium with the University of North Carolina. I know many across Ireland will be cheering him on with enormous pride. From the atmosphere in the Aviva Stadium to the many cultural and community events across Dublin City, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic is truly much more than a game. We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to Dublin City this August for another unforgettable celebration of sport and culture.”

This pillar of the Irish summer sporting calendar is not to be missed. Alongside the main spectacle, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic offers an immersive week of cultural, business, academic, sporting and community events.

Padraic O'Kane, CEO of EHL Experiences and Co-Founder of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic said: “We are looking forward to another unforgettable Aer Lingus College Football Classic this August 29th and having Irish punter Adam McGann Gibbs lining out with the University of North Carolina ads and extra element of excitement for all especially his family and friends from Newry. We can’t wait to welcome thousands of travelling fans alongside Irish supporters to Dublin, the European Home of College Football, for what will be another amazing celebration of sport and culture.”

To find out more about why the Aer Lingus College Football Classic is #MuchMoreThanAGame visit www.collegefootballireland.com

Tickets are available now at ticketmaster.ie/collegefootball

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#MuchMoreThanAGame

ENDS