SEVEN nights is the average length of stay of 14,000 US visitors for college football game

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic returns to Aviva Stadium on 29 August 2026, featuring Texas Christian University Horned Frogs against University of North Carolina Tar Heels in the first US college football game of the season.

Over 14,000 American fans are expected, with most staying an average of seven nights and visiting three destinations across Ireland. Previous games in the series have delivered a combined economic boost of €514m, according to economic data compiled by Grant Thornton.

The fourth match in the series takes place in the Aviva Stadium on 29 August 2026, featuring Texas Christian University Horned Frogs against University of North Carolina Tar Heels in the first US college football game of the season.

The weekend is designed to give locals and tourists the full “All-American” football experience. Both universities are bringing over 130 band and cheer team members to perform. Key commercial and corporate bodies like American Chamber Ireland have partnered with the event to leverage cross-Atlantic business and education connections.

Festivities include a traditional band march from the RDS to the Aviva Stadium, tailgating events, and dedicated fan hubs partnered with Guinness and Teeling Whiskey in pubs across Dublin City.

The event includes tailgating parties for travelling fans who do not attend the match, pep rallies, band performances and community activities, and forms part of US 250 celebrations marking 250 years of American independence. Tickets remain available, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN and TG4.

Legendary eight-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick leads the UNC Tar Heels as head coach. County Down native Adam McCann Gibbs is traveling as UNC’s freshman punter, potentially making his American college football debut on Irish soil.

The match takes place on Saturday, 29 August 2026 at 5:00 PM Irish Time and will air live on ESPN to an estimated U.S. audience of over 4 million, and domestically on TG4. Final remaining packages are on sale through Ticketmaster Ireland.