Dublin is officially in college football mode

With the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic taking place at Aviva Stadium this Saturday, the city is buzzing with team colours, marching bands, American football fans and plenty of excitement.

And DoDublin has had a front-row seat to it all.

 

This week, we’ve been proud to welcome some very special visitors from across the Atlantic onto our sightseeing buses as TCU and UNC prepare to go head-to-head in Dublin.

TCU Bands Hit the Streets of Dublin with DoDublin!

Yesterday, Thursday 27 August, the TCU bands climbed aboard DoDublin buses and took to the streets of the capital.

 

And let's just say… they made themselves heard!

 

As they travelled through Dublin, the band brought plenty of TCU spirit to the city, while getting to see some of Dublin's best-known sights along the way.

 

From the historic streets around Trinity College and Temple Bar to Dublin's Georgian streets, parks and famous landmarks, a DoDublin tour is a brilliant way to get your bearings and experience the city when you're visiting for a major event.

 

For the TCU bands, it was a chance to see Dublin from a completely different perspective before the big game.

 

Today: The TCU Team Boards DoDublin

 

The college football excitement continues today as the TCU football team joins us on board.

 

The Horned Frogs have travelled from Fort Worth, Texas, to Dublin for the first international game in TCU football history. They will face the University of North Carolina at Aviva Stadium on Saturday as both teams open their 2026 seasons.

 

For the TCU players and staff, their Dublin trip is about much more than football.

 

It's an opportunity to experience Ireland, explore Dublin and soak up the atmosphere of one of the biggest weekends in the city's sporting calendar.

 

And what better way to see the capital than from the top deck of a DoDublin sightseeing bus?

 

Tomorrow: UNC Bands Join Us

 

The college football action doesn't stop there.

 

Tomorrow, Saturday 29 August, we'll welcome the UNC bands on board as the Tar Heels prepare for their Dublin showdown with TCU.

 

For UNC, this is a particularly memorable trip. The Tar Heels are making their first international trip in programme history for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

 

By Saturday, both teams will be ready to take to the field at Aviva Stadium — but before the football begins, their supporters, players and bands are getting the chance to experience Dublin.

 

Dublin Is Ready for College Football

 

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is bringing thousands of American football fans to Dublin, with TCU and UNC supporters taking over the city ahead of Saturday's game.

 

The matchup between the TCU Horned Frogs and North Carolina Tar Heels will kick off at Aviva Stadium on Saturday 29 August at 5pm Irish time.

 

But if you're travelling to Dublin for the game, there's no reason your weekend should be all about football.

 

Dublin has plenty to discover beyond Aviva Stadium — from historic landmarks and famous pubs to Georgian architecture, museums, shopping and the city's lively streets.

 

Exploring Dublin? Do It From the Top Deck

 

If you're visiting Dublin for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, a DoDublin Hop-On Hop-Off Tour is one of the easiest ways to see the city while you're here.

 

Our open-top double-decker buses take you past many of Dublin's most famous sights, with the flexibility to hop off and explore before jumping back on and continuing your journey.

 

It's ideal if you're only in Dublin for a few days and want to see as much as possible without spending your trip figuring out public transport or walking from one side of the city to the other.

 

And, because this is Dublin, you never quite know what the weather is going to do.

 

Luckily, our buses are designed for Irish weather too. Enjoy the open-top experience when the sun is shining, or take shelter under the covered section when the rain makes an appearance.

 

Sunshine? Open top. Rain? We've got you covered.

 

Either way, you can keep exploring Dublin.

 

From Texas and North Carolina to Dublin

 

This week has been a fantastic reminder of just how international Dublin can be.

 

One minute you're driving through the city centre, and the next you're sharing the streets with a marching band from Texas preparing for one of the biggest games of their season.

 

With TCU, UNC, their bands and thousands of supporters bringing their college football traditions to Ireland, Dublin is getting a taste of the incredible atmosphere that makes American college football so special.

 

And we're delighted that DoDublin is helping visitors experience the city along the way.

 

Whether you're here for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, supporting the TCU Horned Frogs, cheering on the UNC Tar Heels, or simply visiting Dublin for the weekend, make time to explore beyond the stadium.

 

See Dublin. Hear the stories. Experience the city.

 

Hop aboard DoDublin and discover the capital the easy way.

 

Because when you're in Dublin for college football, the game is only part of the experience.

 

Dublin is waiting.

 

FAQ

When is the TCU vs UNC game in Dublin?

The TCU Horned Frogs will play the North Carolina Tar Heels at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday 29 August 2026. Kick-off is at 5pm Irish time.

 

Why are TCU and UNC playing in Dublin?

The game is part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, which brings major US college football programmes to Dublin for an international season opener. This year's game is the first international game for both TCU and UNC.

 

What can American football fans do in Dublin?

Fans can explore Dublin's historic landmarks, pubs, museums, shopping districts and neighbourhoods. A DoDublin Hop-On Hop-Off Tour is an easy way to see many of the city's major sights during a short visit.

 

What if it rains in Dublin?

Dublin weather can be unpredictable, but DoDublin buses have sheltered seating as well as an open-top deck, allowing visitors to enjoy sightseeing whatever the weather.

 

How can I see Dublin in a short trip?

A hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour is a convenient option for visitors with limited time, allowing you to see major Dublin landmarks while having the flexibility to hop off and explore.