Iowa State Cyclones to open 2025 college football season in Ireland

AMES, Iowa (KCRG) - The 2024 college football season may not have kicked off yet, but the Iowa State Cyclones already know where they’ll be in August 2025.

University leaders said the Cyclones will open the 2025 season against Kansas State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on August 23, 2025 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.

The game will be Iowa State’s first football game played outside the United States.

“We are extremely grateful for this opportunity presented to us by Aer Lingus to provide the young men in our football program an unrivaled educational, cultural and athletic experience,” said Jamie Pollard, Iowa State’s Director of Athletics. “Iowa State fans enjoy a tremendous reputation for following the Cyclones wherever they play, and we look forward to seeing them travel with us to The Emerald Isle for the 2025 season-opener.”

Players get set on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game between... — Players get set on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Northwestern and Nebraska, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)(Peter Morrison | AP)

The game will be the sixth college football game played at the 48,000 seat stadium in Dublin, and the first to feature Big 12 Conference institutions.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the Big 12 Conference to play one of its classic rivalries on a global stage while showcasing our University and its football program,” said ISU head coach Matt Campbell. “We are honored that Aer Lingus selected the Cyclones to participate in this prestigious game, which will afford a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our student-athletes to experience international travel while also helping to grow the game of college football outside of the United States.”

Aviva Stadium opened in 2010. Other college football games played there include two Notre Dame vs Navy games (2012 and 2023), a 2016 Georgia Tech vs Boston College game, and the 2022 matchup between Nebraska and Northwestern.

For more information about the game, including how to sign up for updates about tickets, click here.