Semple Stadium one of the hosts in search for next Irish Gridiron star
Aer Lingus College Football Classic partners with Leader Kicking to launch nationwide search for Ireland’s next Gridiron star
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic has partnered with Leader Kicking to launch Ireland’s Kicking King: The Road to Ryan Field.
This national competition is designed to find, train, and transition Irish kicking talent into American college football. The initiative is part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic’s Much More Than A Game programme, aimed to grow the sport of American football across Ireland and create real opportunities for young local athletes.
The competition offers young Irish athletes aged 16–24 a direct pathway to a US Division 1 College Football scholarship and a $10,000 NIL contract. With regional trials across the country, finalists will be put to the test in front of the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic crowd during the half time show where the TCU Horned Frogs take on the North Carlina Tar Heels in the opening game of the college football season in Dublin.
The journey from grassroots Irish trials to the US will be captured by Ryan Sports Properties for a television documentary to be broadcast in the US, Ireland, and the UK.
10 Free Trials Across Ireland
Leader Kicking will run 10 open trials across the country. Coaches will use ball and foot tracking technology to assess players. The trials are free to attend and open to boys and girls aged 16 to 24.
Every participant who takes part in a trial will receive a complimentary ticket to the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic (TCU vs. UNC) at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 29 August, along with discounted ticket options for family and friends.
Regional Trial Schedule:
•Dublin (Parnell Park): Thursday, August 6th (7:00-8:30pm)
•Tipperary (Semple Stadium): Saturday, August 8th (4:00-5:30pm)
•Mayo (Hastings Insurance McHale Park): Sunday, August 9th (6:00-7:30pm)
•Belfast (Affidea Stadium, Ravenhill): Friday, August 14th (7:00-8:30pm)
•Kilkenny (UPMC Nowlan Park): Saturday, August 15th (6:00-7:30pm)
•Galway (Dexcom Stadium): Sunday, August 16th (11:00am-12:30pm)
•Tyrone (Venue TBC): Friday, August 21st (Time TBC)
•Newry (Mayobridge GAA): Saturday, August 22nd (Time TBC)
•Cork (Virgin Media Park): Sunday, August 23rd (1:00-2:30pm)
•Dublin (Ballyboden St. Enda’s GAA): Friday, August 28th (7:00-8:30pm)
Finals
•Dublin (Aviva Stadium): Saturday, August 29th (Half Time at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, TCU v UNC)
•Chicago (Ryan Field, Northwestern): Saturday, November 7th (Half Time at the Northwestern vs Iowa game)
The Competition Structure
•The Semi-Finals: 30 athletes from the open trials will be invited to Dublin during the Aer Lingus College Football Classic game week.
•The Halftime Show: Following an initial shootout outside the stadium to narrow the group to 20, these finalists will compete on the pitch at halftime of the Aer Lingus College Football TCU v UNC game at the Aviva Stadium.
•The Golden Ticket: The 10 athletes with the longest kicks will receive an “ALCFC Golden Ticket” to the finals in Chicago, at the newly developed Ryan Field, home to Northwestern Wildcats Football.
•Training & Education (September – October): The 10 finalists will train once a week in Dublin. They will also attend two weekend camps to learn about the US university system and hear from leaders in sport, business, arts, and philanthropy.
•The Chicago Final (November 7): The 10 finalists will fly to Chicago to compete at halftime during the Northwestern vs. Iowa game at Ryan Field.
•The Prize: The finalist with the longest kick in Chicago will earn an opportunity for a Division 1 College Football Scholarship and a $10,000 Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contract for college.
Long-Term Support
The competition ends in November, but the support continues. All 10 finalists will receive six months of continued coaching from Leader Kicking, SAT academic prep, and recruitment assistance to help them secure a place at a US university.
Tickets Now on Sale
•See the future of Irish kicking talent live on the pitch. Tickets for the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic: TCU Horned Frogs vs. UNC Tar Heels at the Aviva Stadium are on sale now via the link –www.ticketmaster.ie/collegefootball.
To register for a trial, visit roadtoryanfield.com and follow @LeaderKicking and @CollegeFootballIreland on social media for updates.
#MuchMoreThanAGame #TouchdownDublin #TouchdownIreland