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July 08th 2025
The Week Zero Opening game of the season features match-up of previous Pop-Tarts Bowl champions Kansas State University and Iowa State University.
Dublin, Tuesday, July 8, 2025 — What do the Pop-Tarts Edible Mascots do to kick-off College Football Season? Just like any diehard sports superfans, they travel to see their favourite teams go head-to-head. Pop-Tarts is sending its two surviving Edible Mascots across the pond, signing on as an official partner of the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic held in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium this August. These mascots are large, edible versions of the popular pastry designed to be eaten after the game by the winning team. Fittingly, this year’s delicious match-up features the first two Pop-Tarts Bowl champions: Big 12 powers Kansas State (2023) and Iowa State (2024). The college football season opener, known as ‘Week Zero’ is set for Saturday, August 23rd.
Brendan Meehan, Commercial Director of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, shared his enthusiasm: “We’re thrilled to welcome Pop-Tarts as partners for the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic. With both competing teams having previously won the Pop-Tarts Bowl, there’s a natural synergy that adds a fun, flavourful twist to this year’s showdown. The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is all about creating unforgettable experiences for teams and fans alike, and we can’t wait to see K-State, Iowa State, and the Pop-Tarts mascots bring their energy and spirit to Dublin as we kick off the college football season in unforgettable style.” "The Pop-Tarts Edible Mascots work tirelessly to fulfil their dreams of being eaten, so we agreed they deserved a vacation to watch the previous Pop-Tarts Bowl winners play in Ireland." said Leslie Serro, VP of Marketing, Sweet Snacking (Kellanova). "Fans in Dublin can expect the mascots to show up around town and bring Crazy Good shenanigans to the game itself. We know Frosted Cinnamon Roll and Frosted Strawberry — our two previously sacrificed mascots — would be proud." A great time will be had as Frosted Wild Berry - K-State’s honorary Pop-Tart - and Frosted Hot Fudge Sundae - Iowa States honourary Pop-Tart – will bring their Crazy Good antics to Ireland amid a full slate of Aer Lingus College Football Classic activities. With over 22,000 international fans already confirmed to travel for the event, a limited number of tickets remain available for domestic fans at ticketmaster.ie/collegefootball. From high-energy marching bands and cheerleaders to pep rallies, tailgating, and some delightfully sweet mascot appearances around town, Dublin is set to transform into a vibrant hub of college football spirit and celebration.
Keep up to date with all that is happening surrounding the games on the official Aer Lingus College Football Channels at @collegefootballireland (Instagram) and @CFBIreland (X) to find our why the Aer Lingus College Football Classic really is ‘Much More Than A Game’.
ABOUT THE AER LINGUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL CLASSIC
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic aims to bring the full American college football experience to Ireland each year with a week full of events under the ‘Much More Than A Game’ programme. The 2025 game will be the fourth consecutive season that college football begins its season with a game in Dublin. Kansas State and Iowa State will kick off the 2025 season in Ireland with an excess of 22,000 fans confirmed traveling overseas for game week. Tickets are on sale now at ticketmaster.ie/collegefootball.
ABOUT POP-TARTS BOWL
In 2023, Pop-Tarts signed a multi-year agreement with Florida Citrus Sports to become the new title sponsor of the Pop-Tarts Bowl game. The New York Times called it “the best thing to happen to bowl season in many years” and said the Pop-Tarts Edible Mascot sacrifice "won the internet." The campaign has earned a Cannes Lions Grand Prix, a Webby, a Super Reggie, a Silver Effie, a Grand Clio, an Andy IDEA award, a gold Jay Chiat Award and was named the Brand Activation of the Year at the Sports Business Journal Awards.
In last year’s Pop-Tarts Bowl, No. 18 Iowa State outlasted No. 13 Miami 42-41 in the first-ever meeting between the teams. With the win, the Cyclones earned the right to bring a first-of-its-kind functioning toaster trophy back to Ames. The game also saw MVP Rocco Becht select the Frosted Cinnamon Roll mascot to be toasted and devoured, sparing Frosted Wild Berry and Frosted Hot Fudge Sundae, who now get a second life (and a passport stamp) in Dublin.
The inaugural 2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl saw No. 25 Kansas State defeat No. 18 NC State 28-19 in another viral sensation. That game featured the first-ever Edible Mascot, Frosted Strawberry, who was ultimately consumed by MVP Avery Johnson, head coach Chris Klieman and the Wildcats after the win.
ABOUT KELLANOVA
Kellanova (NYSE: K) is a leader in global snacking, international cereal and noodles, and North America frozen foods with a legacy stretching back more than 100 years. Powered by differentiated brands including Pringles®, Cheez-It®, Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats®, RXBAR®, Eggo®, MorningStar Farms®, Special K®, Coco Pops®, and more, Kellanova's vision is to become the world's best-performing snacks-led powerhouse, unleashing the full potential of our differentiated brands and our passionate people. Our net sales for 2024 were $13 billion.
At Kellanova, our purpose is to create better days and ensure everyone has a seat at the table through our trusted food brands. We are committed to promoting sustainable and equitable food access by tackling the crossroads of hunger, sustainability, wellbeing, and equity, diversity & inclusion. Our goal is to create Better Days for 4 billion people by the end of 2030 (from a 2015 baseline). For more detailed information about our commitments, our approach to achieving these goals, and methodology, please visit our website at https://www.kellanova.com.
Limited tickets for the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic are on sale at www.ticketmaster.ie/collegefootball.
#MuchMoreThanAGame | #TouchdownDublin | #TouchdownIreland
