The Aer Lingus College Football Classic 2024, held at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Saturday, August 24, set new viewership milestones.

Georgia Tech’s thrilling victory over Florida State University, broadcast live on ESPN, marked the network’s largest Week Zero audience since 2019 and set a new record for a college football game held in Ireland on any network.

ESPN’s College GameDay Built by The Home Depot, which aired live from Dame Street in Dublin, also saw significant viewership, with 1.6 million viewers and a peak of 2.0 million during the final hour—an impressive 41% increase over the most-watched Week Zero show in 2022.

The game at Aviva Stadium was a sell-out, with 47,988 fans in attendance, including 28,406 international visitors. Among them, 25,909 came from the United States, staying in Ireland for an average of seven nights and contributing significantly to the local economy. An additional 2,497 visitors travelled from 25 other countries, showcasing the event’s global appeal.

The excitement extended beyond the game itself, with 45 business, academic, political, community, social, and sporting events taking place throughout the week as part of the ‘Much More Than A Game’ initiative.

These activities have strengthened international relationships and generated a significant economic impact. According to a preliminary report by Grant Thornton, the direct economic benefit to Ireland from this year’s event is estimated to exceed €115 million.

“We are delighted with the overwhelming success of this year’s Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin,” said Padraic O’Kane, Co-Founder of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

“The record-breaking viewership and sold-out game demonstrate the growing interest in college football and confirm Dublin’s status as a premier destination for international sporting events. The economic benefits to Ireland, both immediate and long-term, are substantial, and we look forward to continuing this tradition in the coming years.”

Looking ahead, the announcement of the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Iowa State and Kansas State, known as “Farmageddon,” builds on this momentum. Scheduled for August 23rd, 2025, this historic rivalry game is set to deliver another outstanding weekend of sport and cultural exchange in Dublin.