Excited US football fans are arriving in Ireland in their thousands ahead of tomorrow’s game.
Georgia Tech will take on Florida State in the Aviva Stadium and around 25,000 Americans have snapped up tickets to the event.
The event marks the start of the 2024 College Football season and is expected to provide a €115 million boost to the Irish economy.
For many of the Americans, it is their first time in Ireland and two visitors from Kansas City, Missouri told Newstalk’s Josh Crosbie they were delighted to be in Dublin.
“The weather’s great - great weather,” the man said laughing.
“It’s beautiful,” his female companion interjected, adding that they plan to stay on until Monday.
“We walked around last night,” he said.
“We’re still kind of hurting from the travel, so still tired but I’ve been to England before lots but I’ve never been to Ireland.”
Ed the DJ is warming up the crowd ? Get down to Merrion Square Park now for HBP❕#StingEm ? pic.twitter.com/KS1VKdIvK3
— Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (@GTAthletics) August 23, 2024
Another man said he had travelled all over the world but Ireland would always be a particularly special place for him.
“I absolutely love it,” he said.
“It’s one of my favourite places - I’ve got ancestry from Cork, so getting back to those roots has been nice.
“I was here exactly a year ago today and so it’s a good reunion for me.”
After the match, he plans on visiting a castle and also to “spend time with the people”.
Tonight’s team meal was at the historic Round Room, originally built in 1821 for Ireland to host high-profile guests from around the globe and then was the space where the first Irish parliament met in 1919#NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/n7o7tsKFIz
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) August 22, 2024
Kieran from Dallas said it was his first time in Ireland and he has been busy sampling the local culture.
“The pubs, the beer, the Guinness - the whole experience,” he said.
“It’s beautiful.”
Looking forward to the @cfbireland kickoff this Saturday! It was a pleasure to meet @FloridaState President @PresMcCullough and @GeorgiaTech President @CabreraAngel tonight. Welcome to all the visiting fans! ?☘️#MuchMoreThanAGame #TouchdownIreland pic.twitter.com/IO4ppuJdBl
— Ambassador Claire Cronin (@USAmbIreland) August 22, 2024
Another visitor said he “didn’t know” what he expected from Ireland and was “not really” a big football fan but had a very personal reason for visiting.
“I play basketball,” he said.
“I’m here to watch my nephew play.”
Kick off tomorrow is at 5pm.
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Main image: A US football player. Picture by: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.
