Aer Lingus has welcomed the teams, delegations, cheerleaders, and fans from Georgia Tech and Florida State University to Dublin for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on August 24 at the Aviva Stadium, a sell-out event marking the start of the 2024 US college football season.
The airline is sponsoring the event and is facilitating the logistical operations for the teams, including four special charter flights using Airbus A330-300 aircraft, involving 1,122 passengers, 49 crew members, and handling a significant amount of luggage and cargo.
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is not only a sporting event but also a significant economic driver for Ireland, with an expected economic impact of €115m this year and a projected total of over €500m by the end of the current five-game series.
The event will feature exciting lead-up activities in Dublin, transforming the city into a festival of American football, and will have a global reach with over 3.5m viewers expected to tune in across the US on ESPN, with live coverage on ESPN College GameDay and availability on TG4 in Ireland and Sky Sports in the UK.
Georgia Tech returns to Ireland for the second time, having previously defeated Boston College in 2016, while Florida State University, the Seminoles, will play their first game in Ireland.
Kick-off for the game is scheduled for 5pm, and the Aviva Stadium is easily accessible by walking from the city centre or via public transport, including the Dart rail link and various bus routes.
The event is sold out, the stadium is cashless for all transactions, only small handbags are allowed inside (no larger than A4), and road closures and diversions will be in place around the stadium starting from 2pm. Shelbourne Road, Lansdowne Road, Ballsbridge Avenue, Beatty’s Avenue, Herbert Road, and Newbridge Avenue will be subject to road closures and diversions by An Garda Síochána from 4.30pm.
Susanne Carberry, Chief Customer Officer at Aer Lingus. “This event not only allows us to showcase our brand but also to demonstrate the warmth and hospitality of Ireland to a global audience. We’re thrilled to welcome over 25,000 fans from the US and say, ‘you’re very welcome’ as they embark on this unique sporting adventure with Aer Lingus.” As the countdown to game day continues, Aviva Stadium is the place to be this weekend. Whether you’re a die-hard college football fan or simply looking to soak up the atmosphere, this event promises to be unforgettable.
For more information, visit www.aerlingus.com
