Over 100 K‑State fans travelled with Sports Fans Travel in 2025 to Dublin, Ireland and partied with Jordy Nelson before the Kansas State Wildcats game.
The proof is in this pudding video (tap to unmute):
In August 2025, Sports Fans Travel brought 100+ Kansas State Wildcats faithful to Dublin, Ireland for one of the most unique fan experiences in college football history. Hosted by Wildcats legend Jordy Nelson, the week was packed from the first pint to the final whistle — welcome happy hours, an exclusive Jordy Nelson Q&A, tours of the
Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery, a raucous Night Before Party in the heart of Temple Bar, and an all-inclusive gameday tailgate leading into the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium. K‑State fans didn't just travel to Dublin — they took it over.
Gameday in Dublin was pure pandemonium. Over 1,000 K‑State faithful descended on the tailgate scene surrounding Aviva Stadium, and Sports Fans Travel's group was right in the middle of it — with a private area all to themselves. Unlimited food and drinks, live music, and Jordy Nelson himself leading the cheers as the energy built toward kickoff. When it was time to march to the stadium, the buzz was electric — K‑State fans filling the streets of Dublin in purple, ready to witness their team play on one of college football's most unforgettable stages. The Aer Lingus College Football Classic wasn't just a game. It was a moment.
Day 1 – Departure to Ireland Flights departed the U.S. as the Sports Fans Travel crew officially kicked off a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the Emerald Isle.
Day 2 – Arrival in Dublin Touched down in Dublin, checked in, and toasted the trip's beginning with a champagne welcome breakfast before getti
ng out to explore the city.
Day 3 – Guinness & Jameson Guided tours of two of Ireland's most legendary institutions, capped off with whiskey tastings, cocktails, and a pint at the Gravity Bar overlooking all of Dublin.
Day 4 – Jordy Nelson Q&A + Night Before Party An exclusive, members-only Q&A with Wildcats legend Jordy Nelson, followed by a raucous Night Before Party in the heart of Temple Bar — open bar, heavy appetizers, and live music all night long with Jordy along for the ride.
Day 5 – Historic Game Day A private tailgate inside a packed traditional Irish pub just steps from Aviva Stadium — unlimited food and drinks, live music, and Jordy Nelson leading the cheers — before marching to the stadium to witness K‑State compete in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
Day 6 – Free Day in Dublin A well-earned day to recover, explore, and soak in everything Dublin has to offer at their own pace.
Day 7 – Cliffs of Moher + Galway A full-day tour through some of Ireland's most breathtaking scenery — the iconic Cliffs of Moher, a drive along the Wild Atlantic Way, and free time exploring the cobblestoned streets of Galway City.
Day 8 – Departure from Dublin One last morning in the city before buses departed for the airport, closing out an unforgettable week in Ireland.
They call the Aer Lingus College Football Classic "Much More Than a Game," and this fifth edition of the classic in Dublin, Ireland, lived up to that billing, as the 2025 college football season got underway under the lights of Aviva Stadium. In a game that featured two ranked teams and longtime arch-rivals, No. 17 Kansas State and No. 22 Iowa State slugged it out in old-school style in the rain before the Cyclones finally outlasted the Wildcats, 24-21, to get a quick jump on the 2025 season.
The game that was announced over a year in advance and pitted the Wildcats against the Cyclones for the 109th time in the eighth-longest active uninterrupted series in FBS history carried a Big 12 feel with purple filling one side of the stadium and red filling the other.
Both teams reportedly sold 11,000 tickets, but the crowd was much larger, as the teams played before a sellout crowd of 47,221. The K‑State marching band, which endured significant travel challenges to make it more than 4,000 miles for kickoff, was in midseason form at an overseas venue that served as a home game for the Wildcats and brimmed with purple furnishing, thousands of purple Powercat flags, and highlight upon highlight upon the videoboards.
--- Recap per D. Scott Fritchen of KStateSports.com
all communication was quickly answered, and there was a real "can do", "we’ll make it happen" attitude, which I really appreciated.
the tailgate party was the best, so much fun. the food was amazing, best food of the week. the game atmosphere was so exciting.
We have already been telling friends about what an incredible experience it was and recommending anyone looking for an amazing experience for an away game to see what is offered with Sports Fans Travel. My husband tends to be more suspicious of international travel and apprehensive to do it, but because this was handled so well, he felt at ease the entire trip. We had an absolute blast, made new friends, and experienced an incredible game. We can’t say enough positive things about our experience!
We did London and now Munich. If we get a chance to go to Ireland, you can bet your ass we will be on that trip as well. Thanks again for a fantastic experience!
