Pitt and Wisconsin to Open 2027 College Football Season in Ireland

The Pittsburgh Panthers and Wisconsin Badgers will open the 2027 college football season in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland at Aviva Stadium.

The Panthers will be the designated home team for the matchup in Ireland. Pitt and Wisconsin are scheduled to play twice in a two-year period, with the initial meeting played at the Badgers’ Camp Randall Stadium in 2026.

“It’s exciting for our student-athletes, their families and our fans who will be able to have such a unique experience,” said Chris McIntosh, Wisconsin director of athletics. “We talk all the time about the opportunities available to the student-athletes at Wisconsin and this is another example. Visiting another country and playing a quality opponent will be memorable for all involved and we are looking forward to it.”

Wisconsin’s only other game in a foreign country came in 1993 in a 41-20 win over Michigan State in the Coca-Cola Bowl in Tokyo. Pitt last played a football game outside the United States on December 2, 1989 as it defeated Rutgers 46-29 in the Emerald Isle Classic at Lansdowne Road Stadium in Dublin.

“This is an absolutely tremendous opportunity for our football program, not only athletically but also culturally,” said Heather Lyke, Pitt director of athletics. “Visiting a new continent will be a life-changing experience for our student-athletes. The trip to Ireland will be something that members of our program, student-athletes, coaches, staff and also our tremendous donors and fans will always remember. Pitt football will have this memorable international exposure along with the benefit of a national Week Zero television audience.”

Pitt is 3-0 all-time against Wisconsin. The teams last met during the 1967 season.

“Dublin is now the international home of college football and we are proud to welcome Pitt and Wisconsin to the Emerald Isle in 2027,” said Dublin Mayor Daithí de Róiste. “These games are a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase all that Dublin City has to offer. There are strong, historic links with Pittsburgh and Ireland and this game will seek to further strengthen them.”

Georgia Tech and Florida State will kick off in August 2024 in the third straight game as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic game series. Tickets for that game will go on sale in Ireland on March 14, 2024. Details of additional future games will be announced in the spring of 2024.