College Football in Ireland: A History of Transatlantic Gridiron

College football has a rich history, and a unique chapter of that history unfolds each time teams travel across the Atlantic to play in Ireland. This tradition, marked by growing popularity and memorable moments, has become a notable part of the sport.

Origins and Early Years

The roots of international college football extend further back than many realize, almost as old as the sport itself. In 1874, Harvard and McGill University of Montreal played a two-game series in Quebec. The first game, played under a hybrid of soccer and rugby rules, saw Harvard win 3-0. McGill then traveled to Cambridge before returning to Quebec for the second game, played under McGill’s rugby-like rules, which ended in a 1-0 Harvard victory. This series was a pivotal moment in the evolution of American football.

Another early example of international play was the Bacardi Bowl in Havana, Cuba. The first official Bacardi Bowl took place in 1907 between LSU and the University of Havana, with LSU winning 56-0. The last Bacardi Bowl was in 1946, where Mississippi Southern beat Havana 55-0 at La Tropical Stadium. These games were major social events, often part of a larger sports festival hosted in Cuba. However, they sometimes included drama. In 1937, Auburn participated in its first bowl game against Villanova in Havana.

The modern era of international play began in the late 1970s. The NCAA now allows member schools to play one regular-season game in a foreign country every four years. The 1976 Pioneer Bowl between Grambling State and Morgan State in Tokyo was the first postseason game played outside of the Americas. Fifty thousand fans watched Grambling State win 42-16 in Korakuen Stadium. This game initiated a series in Japan known as the Mirage Bowl and later the Coca-Cola Classic. These games were highly successful, drawing some of the largest crowds for overseas games. A Pac-10 matchup between UCLA and Oregon State in 1980 drew the largest crowd of any overseas game, with 86,000 in attendance.

The Emerald Isle Classic and the Dawn of College Football in Ireland

College football's presence in Ireland began in 1988 with the Emerald Isle Classic, part of Dublin's millennium celebrations. The event was conceived and arranged by Aidan J. Prendergast and Jim O'Brien. Prendergast, a former president of the Irish American Football Association, envisioned bringing a major NCAA game to Ireland in the mid-1980s and began pitching the idea on both sides of the Atlantic.

The inaugural Emerald Isle Classic was held at Lansdowne Road in Dublin, drawing a crowd of 42,524. Boston College defeated Army 38-24 in the first I-A (FBS) regular-season college football game played in Europe. The game aimed to attract Americans of Irish descent back to Ireland and was seemingly successful. The second annual Emerald Isle Classic took place at Lansdowne Road on December 2, 1989, where Pittsburgh defeated Rutgers 46-29 in front of a smaller crowd of 19,800.

The 1990s: Expanding the Irish Connection

On November 16, 1991, an NCAA-sanctioned American college football game was played at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Although the Gaelic Grounds had a capacity of about 50,000, the game had an attendance of approximately 12,000. According to a report in the New York Times, some local Irish attendees questioned the substitution rules, finding it unusual that substitutions could be made freely between plays.

The 1993 Emerald Isle Classic was scheduled to be played at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney but was later canceled. In 1996, Notre Dame and the United States Naval Academy began a second American football event in Ireland called the Shamrock Classic. The event, played at Croke Park, drew a slightly smaller crowd than the first Emerald Isle Classic.

The Modern Era: Aviva Stadium and Continued Growth

Notre Dame and Navy returned to Ireland in 2012, playing at Aviva Stadium. This game marked the first time Aviva Stadium hosted a college football game. The event was an advance sellout, with 15,000 tickets sold in less than two hours, and about 35,000 Americans traveled to Dublin. Six players who featured in the Emerald Isle Classic for Notre Dame were later selected in the 2013 NFL Draft.

In June 2013, Penn State and UCF were in negotiations to play their 2014 season opener at Aviva Stadium. The stadium was also considered a potential venue for a proposed bowl game. However, the Orlando Sentinel reported that the teams would play the game at Croke Park instead. The game, named the Croke Park Classic, was confirmed that month.

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The Croke Park Classic took place on August 30, 2014, with UCF hosting Penn State. This was the first time UCF and Penn State had played outside the United States. Penn State won the game with a Sam Ficken field goal in the final seconds, with a final score of 26-24. The game was attended by 53,304 fans.

On June 4, 2015, Irish American Events Limited (IAEL) announced that American college football would return to Ireland in 2016 with a matchup between Boston College and Georgia Tech.

Recent Years and Future Games

In 2019, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln announced it would face Illinois at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on August 28, 2021. However, the trip was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the game was played in Champaign, Illinois. Nebraska rescheduled its trip to Ireland for August 27, 2022, against Northwestern. Northwestern rallied to beat Nebraska 31-28 in that game.

The University of Notre Dame announced on October 24, 2022, that the Fighting Irish would return to Dublin to face Navy Midshipmen at Aviva Stadium on August 26, 2023. Notre Dame won the game 42-3, with Sam Hartman throwing four touchdowns.

Georgia Tech faced off against Florida State in Aviva Stadium to kick off the 2024 college football season on August 24, 2024. Georgia Tech upset No. 10 Florida State 24-21 on a last-second field goal. In another game, No. 22 Iowa State beat No. 17 Kansas State 24-21 in Ireland.

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Looking ahead, Iowa State and Kansas State are scheduled to participate in the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic. TCU has also been invited to participate in the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

The Appeal of College Football in Ireland

College football teams play in Ireland for several reasons. It offers significant publicity potential, putting the sport on a global stage and attracting new fans. It also provides economic benefits, boosting Ireland’s tourism and hospitality sectors. The pageantry and passion associated with college football resonate with international audiences, uniting communities. The pride and excitement of the game transcend borders, making it a perfect fit for an international venue like Ireland.

Venues in Ireland

Aviva Stadium

Also known as Lansdowne Road or Dublin Arena, Aviva Stadium is located in Dublin, Ireland. It opened in 2010 and has a capacity of 51,711. The stadium's primary tenants are the Ireland national rugby union team and the Republic of Ireland national football team. Aviva Stadium has previously hosted multiple college football games, including Georgia Tech's 17-14 win over Boston College in 2016.

The Future of College Football in Ireland

As college football continues to expand its reach, the Irish connection is likely to grow stronger, offering fans around the world a chance to experience the thrill of the game. Whether it’s at the Aviva Stadium or another venue, the international stage adds a new dimension to the beloved sport. College football in Ireland is not a new concept. In fact, the sport has taken its talents across the Atlantic seven times and there are two more games scheduled.

Quotes on the Ireland Experience

Derrick L., shared that it was a "good, fun, and educational trip… about 70 of our players had never been out of the country before, so they really enjoyed it."

Another person mentioned, "Everyone in athletics, student-athletes, coaches and staff alike, had a tremendous experience in Ireland."

"I think this experience truly benefits the present and the future in Notre Dame Football. We can make sure we sell this in recruiting that this is an opportunity."

"This is an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes at Florida State and Georgia Tech to expand the reach of ACC football and play in front of an international audience. We appreciate the flexibility of both Florida State and Georgia Tech, and thank our partners at Irish American Events, for making this game a reality. The ACC is recognized around the globe for the combination of outstanding athletics and academics at its member institutions."

"We are thrilled to see Iowa State and Kansas State participating in the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic. We look forward to watching two Big 12 brands compete in Dublin on a global stage."

"We are extremely honored that TCU has been invited to participate in the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic. This is more than just a football game. It’s an opportunity to advance TCU’s brand globally while having our student-athletes experience a unique educational opportunity and memory of a lifetime."

"This is an absolutely tremendous opportunity for our football program, not only athletically but also culturally. Visiting a new continent will be a life-changing experience for our student-athletes. The trip to Ireland will be something that members of our program, student-athletes, coaches, staff and also our tremendous donors and fans will always remember."

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