GAME ON! Bill Belichick touches down in Ireland as 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic Tickets Go Live.

March 9th, Dublin: Eight-time Superbowl champion coach and University of North Carolina Head Coach Bill Belichick, is in Dublin this week to make initial preparations for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic 2026 between Texas Christian University’s Horned Frogs (TCU) and University of North Carolina’s Tar Heels (UNC), taking place in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on August 29th, 2026. Adding an exciting local dimension, Newry native Adam McCann Gibbs is set to not only make his UNC debut, but his College Football debut on home soil during this highly anticipated transatlantic clash.

Ticket Pre Sale begins tomorrow, Tuesday 10th March at 10am for 48 hours, with general sale tickets beginning on Thursday March 12th. With the Pre Sale reaching max capacity faster than anticipated, securing your spot now is highly recommended. Those who buy tickets for Ireland’s only American Football game this year during the Pre Sale will be entered into a draw to meet Bill Belichick, widely considered to be the greatest coach in professional sport. Fans can register for Pre Sale tickets at collegefootballireland.com.

As the official opening fixture for the US College Football season for the fifth consecutive year, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic is more than a game, it is a pillar of the Irish summer sporting calendar. Last year’s game between Kansas State and Iowa State, like the games before, was a sell-out and generated an economic impact of €132 million for the Irish Economy.

Over 14,000 international fans are expected to descend upon Ireland, turning Dublin, into a vibrant hub of sporting celebration. Alongside the main spectacle the Aer Lingus College Football Classic offers an immersive week of cultural, business, academic, sporting and community events.

Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas which is widely considered as the most competitive collegiate sporting landscape in all the U.S., TCU will serve as the home team in Dublin, bringing with them the essence of all things ‘country’. Dublin can expect to be taken over by Stetsons and spurs come August 29th. Led by Sonny Dykes since 2021, the Horned Frogs have gone from strength to strength, posting a 28-13 record in their first 41 games led by Dykes.

TCU will face UNC who last year appointed Bill Belichick, renowned for coaching NFL greats Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, as Head Coach. UNC, a powerhouse of athletic talent, boasts a legacy that extends beyond the gridiron, with alumni such as 6-time NBA Champion Michael Jordan and 2-time Olympic Gold Medallist and FIFA World Cup Winner Mia Hamm. Irishman, Newry native and rising star, Adam McCann Gibbs will don the iconic ‘Carolina Blue’ as he makes his debut as punter for the Tar Heels when they play in the Aviva Stadium on August 29th, a moment that is sure to electrify the crowd at the Aviva Stadium.

This clash will be just the fifth time TCU and UNC compete against each other dating back to 1940 and will be the first time the sides play each other internationally, debuting on ESPN for over 4 million U.S viewers.

Susanne Carberry, Aer Lingus Chief Customer Officer, said: “Everyone at Aer Lingus is busy preparing for the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic, which promises to be an exciting matchup between TCU and UNC. The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is not only a standout sporting occasion, but an event that also helps strengthen business, economic and educational ties between Ireland and North America. We are really looking forward to welcoming the Tar Heels as well as TCU’s Horned Frogs to Dublin this August to play at the Aviva Stadium.”

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam said “Celebrating Dublin means bringing the world to our city and the Aer Lingus College Football Classic does exactly that. With Bill Belichick on the sidelines and thousands of fans descending on the capital, Dublin will once again become the European Home of College Football. So why not come along on game day, catch the excitement for yourself and play your part in Touchdown Dublin.”

Padraic O'Kane, CEO of EHL Experiences and Co-Founder of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, said, “With tickets going on sale in Ireland this week, the countdown to another unforgettable Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin truly begins. August 29th will mark our fifth consecutive game at the Aviva Stadium, and each year the excitement, atmosphere, and global interest continue to grow. The arrival of TCU, UNC, and Coach Belichick promises another spectacular showcase of American football in Ireland, and we can’t wait to welcome thousands of travelling fans alongside Irish supporters for what will be another amazing celebration of sport and culture in Dublin.”

General tickets for the highly anticipated game go on sale Thursday 12th March at www.ticketmaster.ie/collegefootball. More information can be found across the Aer Lingus College Football Classic social media channels over the coming weeks and months. To find out more about why the Aer Lingus College Football Classic is #MuchMoreThanAGame visit www.collegefootballireland.com

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