A Season Opener Like No Other
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic returns to Dublin on Saturday, August 29th, as TCU kicks off the 2026 college football season against UNC at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.
The 2022 National Championship finalists will look to start their season the right way when they face six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick and his UNC Tar Heels.
Tickets for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic are on sale now — grab yours below, or visit the official event site for full match-day details.
Two Storied Programmes, One Historic Stage
TCU Horned Frogs
2022 College Football Playoff National Championship finalists, TCU brings a program built on speed, aggression, and a fiercely loyal fanbase to Dublin for their 2026 season opener.
UNC Tar Heels
Led by six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick in his first season at the helm, the Tar Heels arrive in Dublin at the start of a new era for North Carolina football.
Strengthening Ties Between Ireland & the U.S.
The #MuchMoreThanAGame initiative goes beyond the final score — bringing educational, cultural, academic, and business exchange together with the parades, pep rallies, and tailgating parties American fans expect, all in support of the long-standing friendship between Ireland and the United States.
The Irish Government supports Dublin's role as host city for the series, recognising the boost these games bring to Ireland's tourism and hospitality sector, and the further strengthening of Irish-American ties they represent.
See You at the Aviva
Saturday, August 29th, 2026 — Dublin, Ireland
#TouchdownIreland
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