Kansas State University held a pep rally outside the Mansion House ahead of the Classic
Marching bands, mascots and cheerleaders took to the streets of the capital yesterday before the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, in which Kansas State University play Iowa State University in the first ever Big 12 Conference game to take place in Ireland.
The teams have brought their pep rallies and long-running rivalry – known as “Farmageddon” – across the Atlantic, with Iowa State mascot Cy the Cardinal set to encounter his nemesis on the field at the Aviva before the game gets under way at 5pm.
Kansas State mascot Willie the Wildcat has been courting the hype in Dublin ahead of his team taking on the Iowa State Cyclones, posing outside the Mansion House alongside feature twirler Bailey Walke yesterday afternoon.
Kansas State University cheerleaders perform at Mansion House. Photo: Sportsfile
Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam held a luncheon ahead of the game, with marching bands gathering on the street outside as the city got swept up in the spirit of an American college football game.
Shoppers along Dawson Street were treated to a cheer routine – complete with tricks, baton twirling and pom-poms – as the purple of Kansas State was on full display.
Performing with their team colours on their cheeks, cheerleaders waved pom-poms and danced to the music of their marching bands.
The Keough-Naughton College Football Ireland trophy – a Waterford Crystal American football – was on a pedestal inside the Mansion House. The trophy will be lifted by the winning team after today’s game, which is expected to bring an estimated €130m to the Irish economy.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was delighted to welcome the teams this weekend for the opening game of the American college football season.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam (second from left) and Kansas State president Dr Richard Linton with Kansas State mascot Willie the Wildcat and feature twirler Bailey Walke. Photo: Sportsfile
“However, this is much more than a game,” he added. “It is also a celebration of culture and connections, bringing people together – first and foremost to enjoy a great sporting occasion, but also to deepen political and business links between Ireland and the US, at both national and state level.”
“I hope the 24,000 supporters expected to visit Dublin from the US this weekend will enjoy meeting friends old and new, and experiencing Irish culture and our world-famous hospitality.
“I wish the Wildcats and the Cyclones the very best of luck, and I promise to be a fair and neutral observer of the coin toss.”
This will be just the second time that Kansas State will play a football game outside the US. They previously played Nebraska in Tokyo, Japan, in December 1992.
It will be Iowa State’s first international football game.
This is the 13th American college football game to be played in Ireland.
Texas Christian University and the University of North Carolina will open the 2026 college football season at the Aviva next August.