Despite the lack of coverage, something exciting is coming up for Florida State University’s (FSU) football team. If you know, you know; if not, here are all the details. Only being told through our school emails, FSU has announced that they will be playing the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets on Aug. 24, 2024. However, what is most interesting about this upcoming game is that it will take place in the Aviva Stadium in Ireland. Our school has never gone abroad for a football game, so this is an exciting feat compared to other schools, with only four other colleges playing at this stadium. The question still lingers: how did FSU end up in Ireland, of all places?
In a way, this is an advantage for the FSU Seminoles, with us having extra at-home games during the season. We will get three additional rounds before the end of the season, giving us more time to watch our beloved football team before they close off until the following year. This game is considered to be during Week 0, or before the start of the football season, initially being an at-home game for the Yellow Jackets. That makes it more exciting, with everyone getting riled up in advance and ready to see FSU on the big screen, or if you can afford it, in the stadium in a foreign country. It can be the perfect end to summer vacation to see our football team take on and (hopefully!) win beyond the United States, opening more possibilities. Also, with Florida State being a Top 20 university and the football team traveling, it guarantees more awareness outside the country with its upcoming travel.
By playing in Ireland, it helps the players experience a new world. The founder of these events, John Anthony, expressed that “three-quarters of previous participants didn’t have a passport before their game was scheduled.” This shows that most of these individuals have never left the country, giving them a new perspective beyond the country’s horizons. Plus, they can experience a new culture, country and team dynamic by being away from what they call home: Tallahassee. Of course, the team has become a family with how hard they work, with endless hours going into the plays and goals they have in mind. Although this does make it seem easier, experiencing a new area would probably be interesting for a group of football players.
We have played Georgia Tech in the past, so this news isn’t shocking. However, this shows how much the Seminoles have grown during the past few years in the name of football. Before this, it would not be easy to sell tickets for games, with remainders often being left. In the last year, the biggest game of the season, playing against the University of Florida Gators, was completely sold out months in advance. With that in perspective, FSU has grown a large enough fanbase that would do anything for its football players, making this possible. Georgia Tech has already had its fans travel abroad prior to this event, so in a way, it has become up to its standards.
To prove their accomplished feat, FSU has remarkably sold the highest sales within the first week of being announced. This is compared to Notre Dame, Northwestern and United States Naval Academy sales. With approximately 20,000 Americans expected to attend and 2,000 down payments in place—all being fellow Seminoles—it’s exhilarating for FSU and its football team. The numbers only rise each week that comes closer to one of their most significant events in history. After their bowl legibility and winning the Cheez-It Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners with a score of 35-32, everything seems to be going up for the Seminoles.
We can only hope for continued success for the football team in the upcoming years. Who knows what else they are capable of? With more than a year until the big match, they have time to brush off their nerves and train with nonstop practices. As soon as the players returned from spring break, they headed out to the field to begin practicing, showing their determination for another year of incredible games and an even more amazing time in Ireland. Regardless of the win or loss they may face (we would strongly prefer a win…), it would be a nearly unforgettable event that could go down in the books as one of Coach Norvell’s proudest achievements done for FSU.
To buy tickets, Aer Lingus College Football Classic is currently selling tickets through travel and hospitality packages. By putting down a $250 deposit for a travel package here, you will be able to get information first about this travel, but buy it fast! They are first come, first served, so make up your mind quickly and see your fellow Seminoles internationally for the first time in history.
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