Georgia Tech and Florida State University have been revealed as the two teams set to contest the 2024 edition of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on Saturday 24 August 2024.
Details
With over 20,000 people expected to travel to Dublin from America for the clash between the two US colleges, research from Fáilte Ireland and Grant Thornton estimates that the Aer Lingus College Football Classic 2024 fixture will be worth €69 million to the Irish economy.
The 2024 game will be the third consecutive American college football game held in Ireland since the series was announced, and the eighth Division 1 college football game to be played in Ireland.
As in 2022 and with Notre Dame and the Navy Midshipmen this August, the 2024 game – an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) game – will be the opening fixture for the college football season. The game is played on ‘Week Zero’ and is to be televised on ESPN, to an estimated four-million-plus US live audience.
Georgia Tech will return to Ireland next year, for the second time since 2016, when the team defeated Boston College by 17 points to 14 in the Aviva Stadium.
Statements
Speaking about the announcement, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD said, “The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is fast becoming a popular fixture in the Irish sporting calendar, with supporters from America, Ireland and beyond gathering in Dublin to enjoy the atmosphere and high-quality college football. The game will provide a huge boost to tourism and hospitality in Ireland, and we look forward to welcoming the teams and supporters of Georgia Tech and Florida State University to the Aviva Stadium in August 2024.”
Lynne Embleton, CEO of Aer Lingus, said, “Our sponsorship of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic provides us with a unique opportunity to drive awareness of the Aer Lingus brand in our key North American market, as well as in our home market. Aer Lingus has a proud history of connecting Ireland to the US for almost 65 years, and we are committed to continuing to grow our long-haul network, connecting Ireland and Europe to North America through our Dublin hub. We look forward [to] welcoming both Georgia Tech and Florida State University to Ireland for the 2024 game.
“Aer Lingus is proud to continue its association with college football through the Aer Lingus College Football Classic series.”
Padraic O’Kane, Irish American Events Ltd, commented, “Next year’s fixture, which will see the welcome return of Georgia Tech and the first visit of Florida State, will be the third consecutive season-opening game of the US college football season, cementing Dublin’s position as the European headquarters of college football. This fixture will attract 20,000-plus US visitors – staying, on average, seven nights throughout Ireland – in addition to [the] four-million-plus live US TV audience via ESPN, showcasing Ireland at its very best on a global stage. A full programme of leisure, business, academic and sporting events will take place throughout game week 2024, as part of the ‘Much More than a Game’ steering committee enterprises.”
Read More: Cork Airport Announces New Aer Lingus Regional Service To Bristol
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