Mike Buddie (TCU Athletic Director, Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, John Anthony (Co-Founder of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic), Rick Steinbacher (Senior Associate Athletic Director at UNC), Susan Fox (Executive VP at Disney)
Mike Buddie (TCU Athletic Director, Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, John Anthony (Co-Founder of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic), Rick Steinbacher (Senior Associate Athletic Director at UNC), Susan Fox (Executive VP at Disney)

In late July, representatives from the Aer Lingus College Football Classic were honored at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic Celebration at the Irish Ambassador’s Residence in Washington D.C. The evening was hosted by Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, and held in partnership with ESPN, Diageo, and Irish American Events Limited.  

The event brought together stakeholders from the University of North Carolina, TCU, and even those on Capitol Hill to celebrate the Aer Lingus College Football Classic’s ever-growing impact in strengthening the Irish-American connection through culture, hospitality, and tourism. 

Rick Steinbacher, Senior Associate Athletic Director at UNC
Rick Steinbacher, Senior Associate Athletic Director at UNC

TCU’s Athletic Director Mike Buddie, (pictured), and Rick Steinbacher from North Carolina both detailed their universities’ excitement ahead of the 2026 game. Ambassador Byrne Nason also delivered an address on sports diplomacy and why the Aer Lingus Classic is so Much More Than a Game.  

Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason
Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason

Both TCU and North Carolina will bring the vision of sports diplomacy to life at Aviva Stadium on August 29, with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. local time, or 12 p.m. ET. The game will also be broadcast in Ireland on TG4 and ESPN.  

Game tickets are still available at ticketmaster.ie so get yours today and come experience the Classic!