Notre Dame will face Navy in the 2023 Aer Lingus College Football Classic at the Aviva Stadium, it has been announced.
This same fixture was due to take place in Dublin in 2020. However, the Covid-19 pandemic forced organisers to move the game back to the US.
Irish American Events' Commercial Director Brendan Meehan revealed the news to OTB Sports. He told Eoin Sheahan:
"It's the first time that Notre Dame have ever brought a home game to Ireland. This is really, really exciting for us."
"It's a sign of their Irish heritage and it means a awful lot to them. For them to give up a home game at their 80,000-seater stadium, and everything that comes with that, is huge news."
"They've been tough negotiations, but we got there, and we can't wait to welcome Notre Dame and Navy to Ireland in August 2023."
College Football Classic returns in 2022
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic returns to Dublin next year, with tickets going on sale in two weeks.
The 2022 edition of the game will see Northwestern take on Nebraska at the Aviva Stadium on August 7th.
You can get your tickets for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on November 19th. Subscribers to OTB Sport's Club Gridiron Mailing List will receive exclusive presale access. Sign up for the mailing list here.
This crunch tie will be the first American football game hosted at the Aviva in 6 years. In the 2016 game, Georgia Tech ran out 17-14 winners over Boston College.
"This will spread visitors right across the country"
Thankfully, the sport and pageantry of the College Football Classic will return in 2022. Fáilte Ireland's head of commercial development Paul Mockler outlined the potential boost this game will bring to the Irish economy.
"While it will have an immediate impact on the economy in Dublin, it's actually going to be an event which will spread visitors right across the country."
"In 2022, we will have Northwestern and Nebraska; that will have a direct economic impact of about €63m into the economy. The following year - the big one - will surpass that."
"These visitors don't just stay to watch the football or stay in Dublin. They will also stay and enjoy right across the tourist economy, from golf to business tourism, and they'll visit all of our regions."
"It is a significant result for the Irish tourism and hospitality sectors, which have been decimated over the last 18 months."
The Snap on OTB, brought to you in association with the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
Be the first to get tickets to see Northwestern Wildcats vs Nebraska Huskers at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 27th August 2022 through the official game presale on Friday 19th November
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