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Notre Dame vs. Navy in Ireland: Aer Lingus College Football Classic Continues Tradition

Notre Dame and Navy face off in Ireland as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Ireland has a long storied history of hosting American football games

Notre Dame vs. Navy

Notre Dame is set to clash with Navy in Ireland in an exciting kickoff to the 2023 college football season, No. 13 . This anticipated contest is an important  part of the ongoing Aer Lingus College Football Classic series, adding a touch of tradition and rivalry to the game. 
For the second consecutive year, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic is bringing marquee Week 0 action to international fans. Notre Dame's Fighting Irish, led by Marcus Freeman, will cross the Atlantic to face Navy's Midshipmen at Dublin's Aviva Stadium. The venue, typically home to Ireland's national rugby and soccer teams, has a capacity of 51,711 (48,000 for American football games). Notably, it has witnessed victories by Notre Dame 'in previous clashes against Navy in 1996 and 2012.

Why travel such a distance for a college football game. Established in 2015, Aer Lingus College Football Classic seeks to revive college football in Ireland after the country hosted numerous American football games over the years. The series is named after Aer Lingus, Ireland's flagship airline.

The journey to this momentous clash between Notre Dame and Navy has been riddled with postponements. Initially planned for 2020, the game's fate was altered by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the game was rescheduled for 2023. Aer Lingus formally confirmed the matchup in November 2021, prompting excitement from both universities.

Notre Dame's Athletic Director, Jack Swarbrick, expressed enthusiasm about showing  the university's spirit in Ireland, while Navy's AD, Chet Gladchuck, anticipated a return to the pageantry that captivated audiences in 2012. The game's kickoff time holds significance for global viewers: 2:30 p.m. ET in the U.S. and 7:30 p.m. IST in Dublin.

Ireland has a long history of hosting American football games. From the 1988 Emerald Isle Classic,where Boston College won over Army, to the recent Aer Lingus College Football Classic matchups, the tradition of transatlantic sportsmanship remains strong. 

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