Dublin City Council

08/22/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/22/2024 02:37

ESPN’s College GameDay College Green, Dublin Saturday 24th August 1400hr-1700hr

Dublin City Council in partnership with ESPN Networks is delighted to announce that as a prelude to the American College Football game (Georgia Tech v Florida State) in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 24th August, it will host ESPN's College GameDay Built by The Home Depot , live from the streets of College Green, Dame Street, Dublin 2 (https://promo.espn.com/collegegameday/).

The 3hr live broadcast (1400hr -1700hr) is American College Football's premier pre-game show and last season the programme reached 30 million viewers. The live show from Dublin is the first time ever that the programme has been broadcast outside of the USA.

The event is family-friendly, free, non-ticketed and open to the public.

As part of the College GameDay event experience on College Green, Dublin City Council will provide entertainment including traditional Irish musical performances, and dancing. In addition, the street will be dressed with College Football and GameDay branding and material to promote Dublin as the host city, providing all visitors with their own photographic/Instagram memories.

Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan says "I am delighted to welcome so many of our American friends to the city of Dublin this weekend, and this event once again proves how capable our capital city is to host major sporting events. The presence of ESPN this weekend will help showcase the beauty of our capital city to a worldwide audience".

"Travelling College GameDay overseas and sharing the excitement and traditions of college football with sports fans from other countries is something we've always wanted to do," said Seth Markman, ESPN vice president and executive producer. "Ireland is an amazing country known for having very passionate sports fans, so we expect an incredible atmosphere and experience for this first-ever international show in Dublin."

In preparation for the event, Dame Street will be closed to vehicle traffic between 20:00hr on Friday 23rd and 06:00hr on Sunday 25th of August. Foster Place will be closed from 15:00hr on Wednesday 21st of August until 06:00hr on Sunday 25th August.

Bus services in the Temple Bar area on the Quays and Westmoreland Street will continue to operate. The LUAS green line will continue to operate. Any temporary relocation of bus stops from Dame Street to other locations will be publicised via the National Transport Authority website. The Taxi Ranks from Foster Place and College Green will be moved temporarily to D'Olier Street.

As part of a busy weekend in the capital Dublin City Council is also delighted to announce the return of its Smithfield Fleadh for its third successive year (Dublin City Council Smithfield Fleadh - Dublin.ie). The free, family-friendly outdoor event will take place on the 24th and 25th August from 1200hr- 1800hr at Smithfield Square, Dublin city centre's largest dedicated event space. The event will showcase the vibrancy of traditional Irish music in modern Ireland with internationally recognised artists and grassroots artists alike. This year will see more opportunities for visitors to engage with the artists through music sessions, workshops and céilís for all the family to enjoy.

ENDS