Clayton Hotels Hosts Georgia Tech and Florida State in Dublin’s Ultimate College Football Showdown

Published on July 27, 2024

Clayton Hotels, the official hotel partner of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic series, is excited to welcome the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to Dublin this August, offering their signature Irish hospitality. The 2023 Gasparilla Bowl Champions will compete in this season’s Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on August 24th, the European home of college football.

During their stay in Ireland, the team will be hosted at Dublin’s Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, while other Clayton Hotels across Dublin will accommodate fans and alumni traveling from America to watch the match. Game Ambassadors, including VIPs like Phoebe Schecter, former NFL coach and Sky Sports NFL Pundit, will also enjoy the warm hospitality of Clayton Hotels.

With over 24,000 international travelers expected, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic is anticipated to contribute a substantial €100 million to the Irish economy. Clayton Hotels, part of Dalata Hotel Group, Ireland’s largest hotel operator with a growing presence in the UK and continental Europe, is proud to host a college football team for the third consecutive year for this event.

The season opener will feature the Yellow Jackets facing off against the Atlantic Coast Conference champions, the Florida State Seminoles. The game will highlight potential NFL stars, including Georgia Tech’s Punter, Kerry native David Shanahan, and key players like Quarterback Haynes King, Running Back Jamal Haynes, and Safety LaMiles Brooks, attracting millions of TV viewers.

In a historic broadcast, ESPN will air the game in America immediately following the ESPN College GameDay show, which will also broadcast live from Dublin for the first time ever. Sky Sports will cover the game for audiences in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

This marks Florida State University’s first game outside the US, and both FSU and Georgia Tech are eager to kick off the 2024 college football season in Dublin. With strong support expected for both teams, the event’s principal stakeholders include Aer Lingus, Failte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, and Dublin City Council.

Phillip O’Neill, Group General Manager, Dublin, Dalata Hotel Group said: “We’re delighted to continue our successful partnership with such a great event. Dalata Hotel Group is the heart of hospitality, and we cannot wait to showcase Clayton Hotels’ famous blend of personable hospitality to both the players and staff at Georgia Tech and US visitors who are expected to stay, on average, for seven nights to experience Ireland and enjoy this game”.
“The event brings so much colour to the city and there is an electric atmosphere ahead of the games. As each year goes by more and more local people are really getting caught up in the buzz and enjoying the games.”
Brendan Meehan, Commercial Director of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Clayton Hotels and we are excited about the opportunities this partnership continues to offer us. We have developed a wonderful relationship with Dalata Hotel Group that complements the offering of other private partners, including our title sponsor Aer Lingus. As with previous teams that have stayed in Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, we know that Georgia Tech will experience the very best in Irish hospitality and professionalism.”