When the TCU Football team goes to Ireland to face North Carolina in 10 months, a win is not the only thing the Horned Frogs hope to gain.
During an afternoon press conference Friday, Oct. 3, Neale Richmond, Ireland’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Chancellor Daniel Pullin talked about creating lasting ties through “sports diplomacy.”
Richmond spoke of strengthening ties with the State of Texas as well as TCU, while Pullin talked about how TCU’s image and reputation could be enhanced on an international stage.
“This is not just going to last a few hours, it’s not just one day,” Richmond said. “People usually come for an average of a week. This is a trip of a lifetime and a chance to watch your college team play in a unique occasion.”
This will be the sixth Aer Lingus game, with the first being in 2016 between Georgia Tech and Boston College. Aer Lingus has hosted a Week 0, or season-opening game, every year since 2022. This year, Iowa State took on Kansas State.
TCU is set to play the University of North Carolina Aug. 29, 2026.
The first game was part of an effort to boost tourism and financial growth as Dublin emerged from a recession.
The matches have proved so successful, that Dublin hosted its first NFL game on Sept. 28, with a Week 4 NFL matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings, according to the NFL. According to the league, 74,512 fans attended the Sunday night game — 35% from the U.S., 30% from Ireland and 35% from the other countries.
TCU Athletic Director Mike Buddie said it didn’t take much convincing for him to agree to the Horned Frogs’ first international game.
“What I loved about the pitch was we talked about football for 11 seconds,” TCU Athletic Director Mike Buddie said. “The other 15 minutes were about the experience the team and coaches would have.”
