Over 27,000 US tourists in Dublin as college football returns

More than 27,000 American tourists are in Dublin to watch the opening fixture of the US college football season.

The sell-out game at the Aviva Stadium between Florida State University and Georgia Tech kicks off at 5pm this afternoon.

The game will have a television audience of more than 3.5 million and is expected to generate at least €115 million for the Irish economy.

The Irish capital has played host to this key event in the American football calendar for a number of years.

Last year it was the largest ever single movement of US citizens outside the US for an individual sporting event and it generated a record €180m for the Irish economy

The event is also more than just a game, with plenty of business happening on the margins - including a meeting earlier this week of around 400 CEOs from Irish and American companies.

There is Irish interest too in this years fixture with Kerry native David Shanahan in the Georgia Tech squad.

More than 3.5 million viewers in the US watch this game on ESPN, with the station hosting its pre-game coverage from Dame Street in Dublin, the first time this has been done outside the US.

There is also a growing interest in American football here and this year TG4 are also broadcasting the game for the first time on free to air television in Ireland

Pep rallies and tailgating parties have been taking place around Dublin in the lead up to fixture and US broadcasters have been broadcasting television reports, radio programmes and podcasts from the Irish capital.

Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne said: "This game highlights Ireland's capacity to host major international sports events and, by hosting such events, we can drive participation levels in sport and build a lasting legacy on so many fronts.