College football continues to grow beyond the borders of the United States, and this time, it is the Big 12 that is in the spotlight. Farmeggedon, or Kansas State vs Iowa State, is one of the bigger rivalries in the Big 12, but in 2025, it will be bigger than ever. For the third consecutive season and sixth time overall, the college football season will begin in Ireland.
College Football playing internationally is still a somewhat new trend, but it is certainly growing. Back in 2014, the Bahamas hosted the first-ever international bowl game that has certainly become more about the destination than the payout or prestige.
Ivy League teams have played in countries including Tanzania, China, and Japan. Mountain West, CUSA, and Pac 12 teams have played in Australia. However, the latest trend has been playing in Ireland, a country known for its passionate fans and post-game party celebration culture.
Big 12 Not Afraid to Go International
The Big 12 has already shown it is not afraid to push the envelope when it comes to trying to grow the brand and name of the conference and college football in general. Last year, Brett Yormark announced the Big 12 would be playing football and basketball games in Mexico. The Big 12 also has thrown out the idea of hosting a bowl game beginning in 2026 in Monterrey, Mexico. The last college football game played in Mexico was back in 1954, despite football becoming more popular, particularly with the NFL’s recent reach in the country.
The matchup between Iowa State and Kansas State will be the first official conference game outside the country and only the fourth college football conference game this century to take place outside the U.S., at least at the FBS level (Ivy League teams have played internationally on many occasions).
Why Does Ireland Host College Football
It may seem odd that Ireland, a somewhat small country that loves soccer, is hosting college football games, but there is actually a good reason for it. According to Ireland’s Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin, the main reason for hosting games is to promote tourism in the Irish country and create a sports culture outside of soccer. She shared the following:
“I welcome the news that Kansas State University and Iowa State University have been chosen to play the fourth match in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic series…This event is now a firm fixture in the Irish sporting calendar and provides a huge boost to tourism and hospitality in Ireland and indeed creates a great atmosphere in Dublin for visitors and locals alike. We look forward to welcoming the teams and supporters to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and beyond, as they go on to explore other parts of Ireland, in August 2025.”
This upcoming season, Georgia Tech and Florida State will play in an ACC matchup, and in 2027, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin are slated to play in a non-conference matchup. The TV time or network has not been released for any of the upcoming games.
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