Tánaiste Welcomes American Visitors for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic Game

Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, today, welcomed supporters from Georgia Tech and Florida State University for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic Game on Saturday 24 August 2024.

This will be the 9th NCAA-sanctioned American college football game since the inaugural game in 1988 to mark the Dublin millennium. Georgia Tech returns to Dublin for a second visit following their victory against Boston College in 2016, while this game will be the first on Irish soil for Florida State University. The game will act as a catalyst for a programme of cultural, economic and political engagements and events.

Speaking ahead of the game, the Tánaiste said:

“2024 is an important year as we mark 100 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the US. The strength of the bilateral relationship is largely rooted in the many links between Irish and American people, and the Government is pleased to welcome fans from both teams to Dublin, with some 25,000 American spectators expected to travel for the sell-out game.

“Among the football fans travelling, the Government looks forward to welcoming trade delegations and bipartisan delegations of both federal and state-level politicians, providing an opportunity for exchanges between Ireland and US counterparts.”

Concluding, the Tánaiste added, “The College Football Classic reinforces the strong relationship between America and Ireland and the Government hopes that our visitors will experience a warm Irish welcome I wish both teams the very best of luck in the game.”

ENDS

Press Office

23 August 2024

• The College Football Classic has seen an average of 23,600 US visitors each year with an additional 5,000 from Europe and the economic benefit of the 5–game series has been valued at €413m to the Irish economy.
• A Congressional delegation comprised of representatives from the State of Florida, state level political leaders and up to 100 state legislators primarily from Florida and Georgia are expected to be in Dublin during the week for a programme of public and private events.
• The Government of Ireland supports the event through funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.