Ireland awaits Iowa State football in 2025 – Iowa State Daily

Iowa State will play Kansas State in the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland, following the April 24 announcement that the Cyclones would play their first-ever international football game.

“This is an opportunity for our institution to go international, spread our wings and show the world what Iowa State University represents,” said Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard.

This will be the tenth college football game played in Ireland and the fourth in the Aer Lingus Classic. The game was moved to week zero of the 2022 college football season and attracted over four million television viewers.

Typically, Iowa State begins its football season against mid-major or FCS opponents. With a conference opponent starting the 2025 season, there is a lot at stake.

“It’s going to be a huge football game,” Campbell said. “Playing this game from the beginning will certainly be different and unique.”

Nicknamed “Farmageddon,” the Iowa State-Kansas State rivalry has been played 107 times, but this is the first time the historic rivalry has crossed international waters.

John Anthony, co-founder of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, wanted two teams with passionate fan bases and up-and-coming programs. Add in a conference rivalry and a game between Iowa State and Kansas State is the perfect choice.

“It’s the right combination of what I think is the quality of football and the quantity of fans,” Anthony said.

When Anthony Pollard called about the opportunity, he jumped at it. After a quick call to Campbell, Pollard called Anthony back less than 20 minutes later to confirm the Cyclones would be playing.

“Coach Campbell didn’t even hesitate,” Pollard said.

Iowa State fans have traveled to many different cities for football games, particularly bowl games. Cyclone fans captured San Antonio in 2018 for the Alamo Bowl and Memphis in 2017 and 2023 for both Liberty Bowl games.

Pollard is confident fans will make the trip to see Iowa State play while also enjoying what Ireland has to offer.

“I have no doubt there will be 12,000 to 15,000 Cyclone fans in Dublin,” Pollard said.

Last season, Notre Dame played Navy in the Aer Lingus Classic, and over 39,000 people from across the United States attended the game.

Georgia Tech and Florida State are expected to participate in the Aer Lingus Classic in 2024 and Anthony estimates that 24,000 fans from the United States will travel to Dublin, Ireland to watch the game.

The event has become a huge spectacle for the country of Ireland and has introduced a global audience to the sport that was once based in the USA

In the past, Americans would fill the Aviva Stadium and spend about a week in the area exploring Dublin and surrounding cities.

“It’s something that people will remember,” Anthony said. “Our history shows us that the average fan travels to Ireland for more than a week.”

In the days before and after the game, social events will take place around the stadium and in the city center. The city center is just a few minutes' walk from the stadium, allowing fans to enjoy what the city has to offer in close proximity.

“When we say it’s more than a game, we actually mean it’s more than a game,” Byrne said. “There are a whole range of events before and after the game that really help ensure fans in Ireland have a good experience.”

For more information on tickets, travel packages and more, Iowa State fans can visit cyclones2ireland.com.

“This is much more than a football game,” Pollard said. “This is a great opportunity for all of our fans and our student-athletes.”