Why is Navy vs. Notre Dame in Dublin? Explaining college football’s Week 0 international game for 2023

More and more American sports are playing international games, and college football is no exception.

The most notable Week 0 matchup features Notre Dame and Navy at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, the second year in a row Ireland finds itself hosting a college football game. Last year it was Northwestern vs. Nebraska in a Big Ten showdown.

These games are part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, a five-game slate that was supposed to start in 2020 before COVID-19 scuttled those plans. Notre Dame vs. Navy was meant to be the inaugural game, which means it was also the first one canceled.

Last year’s iteration was a success in terms of attendance, drawing about 42,700 fans. An estimated 18,000 of those were American tourists, where another 3,000 were from other countries, per SBJ.

Neither of these teams are strangers to neutral-site games. Notre Dame often plays in different stadiums across the country due to the national allure of the brand, whereas Navy has a neutral-site game annually against Army that roves.

MORE: Watch Notre Dame vs. Navy live on Fubo (free trial)

Here is what to know about this year’s Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Ireland.

Where is Notre Dame vs. Navy?

• Location: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
• TV channel: NBC
• Live stream: Peacock, NBCSports.com, Fubo

The game between Notre Dame and Navy will be played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The stadium, built in 2010, has a listed capacity of roughly 51,000. It generally hosts rugby and soccer competitions.

It has hosted three other college football games, in 2012, 2016, and 2022. The Notre Dame-Navy game will be both teams’ second visit to Dublin, having played each other in 2012 where Notre Dame won 50-10.

Why is Notre Dame-Navy in Dublin?

The Notre Dame-Navy game is the second in a series of five college football games to be played in Dublin, dubbed the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

“We are very pleased to be returning to Aviva Stadium in Dublin for the 96th playing of the Navy-Notre Dame game,” Naval Academy athletic director Chet Gladchuk said in a statement in 2021, when the game was announced. “In 2012, it was one of the greatest airlifts in all of sports with more than 35,000 people coming from the United States to witness the beauty of Ireland and the pageantry that is a Navy-Notre Dame football weekend. We expect just as many people to return in 2023.

“The Navy fan-based support and enthusiasm for this game in Ireland is already overwhelming and with the ongoing support of the Prime Minister and the Irish government, it will again be an extraordinary experience. We look forward to our visit and a competitive contest against Notre Dame in a country that knows no bounds for hospitality.”

Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick was similarly enthused.

“We’re thrilled to be able to provide another opportunity for our team and fans to experience the culture and hospitality of Ireland,” said Swarbrick. “This trip overseas continues to strengthen our academic and athletic presence around the globe. Bringing a Notre Dame football home game atmosphere to Ireland has been a goal of ours and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with the Naval Academy to make it happen.”

History of college football games in Dublin

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic series was supposed to start in 2020 with this very matchup. That season, however, was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to restrictions on international travel and further logistical difficulties, the game was moved to Navy’s stadium in Annapolis, Md., before ultimately being canceled after the Fighting Irish agreed to play an all-ACC schedule.

The next game in the series, Nebraska vs. Illinois in 2021, was canceled because of similar difficulties regarding COVID-19.

Here’s the full rundown of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic to date:

This is far from only college football game to have been played in Ireland. The idea of American colleges playing football in Ireland began in 1988 as part of the Dublin millennium celebrations and the game was dubbed as the Emerald Isle Classic.

The games have taken on different names over the years, including the Shamrock Classic and Croke Park Classic. The game traditionally has involved colleges with heavy Irish or Catholic affiliations.

Here is a rundown of all the college football games played in Dublin:

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