- Raleigh Durham defeated Texas Christian University 15-10 at Aviva Stadium
- Bill Belichick led North Carolina team to defensive upset victory
- Over 14,000 international fans travelled to Dublin for the event
- Fan activities included pep rallies, tailgating, city tours and shopping
- Ireland-US CEO Club Lunch brought together 400+ business leaders
Raleigh Durham’s North Carolina University defeated Texas Christian University 15-10 in the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium on 29th August, with 14,000 fans flooding Dublin’s tourist facilities and attractions and dispersing widely through the island for pre and post stay, while onfield, legendary head coach Bill Belichick led the North Carolina team to a defensive upset victory.
Over 14,000 international fans travelled to Dublin for the event, bringing authentic American game-day experiences to the city through pep rallies at Merrion Square Park, traditional tailgating at local pubs and outdoor fan zones around Aviva Stadium, city tours and sightseeing in Temple Bar and other historic districts, and merchandise shopping at pop-up locations.
The College Football Classic, sponsored by Aer Lingus, forms part of a broader weekend programme involving Dublin City Council, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, with the Ireland-US CEO Club Lunch at the Mansion House bringing together over 400 CEOs and senior executives to build business relationships between Irish and American companies.
