Big Red Business: Nebraska fans ready to paint Dublin red at Aer Lingus Classic
Nebraska’s Irish invasion is a week away, and the setting for the Huskers’ season opener in Dublin should have a distinctly green – err, make that red – color.
Nearly 10,000 NU fans are expected to be in the 48,000-seat Aviva Stadium on Saturday for the Aer Lingus Classic against Big Ten West foe Northwestern.
Sponsors expect at least 35,000 fans for the game, including more than 13,000 Americans, said John Anthony, the founder of Anthony Travel, the travel sponsor.
“We’re satisfied with that. We’re pleased,” Anthony said in an interview.
“Covid has not been our friend,” Anthony added, given that Nebraska’s scheduled game against Illinois last year in Dublin was canceled because of the pandemic along with lingering worldwide public health threats that have made many travelers cautious about going overseas.
Northwestern, the designated home team for the game, expects about 3,000 fans in attendance, although Anthony said that number has “crept up” recently.
If the weather cooperates – and the early forecast calls for Dublin temperatures in the upper-60s to low-70s, partly sunny, with a slight chance of rain – there could be a late surge in ticket sales. Unlike in America, there is no ticket window for walk-up sales on game day at Aviva Stadium. However, fans can still buy tickets online at Ticketmaster.com.
“Once Irish folks see more Americans in town for the game, with the bands and cheerleaders, it could help last-minute ticket sales,” Anthony said.
A national attraction
The game will draw government and business dignitaries, including Ireland’s prime minister, Micheal Martin, its foreign secretary, and possibly the U.S. ambassador to Ireland. Nebraska governor Pete Ricketts is also expected to attend.
There will also be plenty of Irish corporate leaders, along with the first family of Northwestern athletics, longtime donors Pat and Shirley Ryan.
But don’t expect to run into Nebraska native and Cornhusker fan Warren Buffett and his Irish singer and lyricist pal, U-2’s Bono. By the way, Bono is not scripted for the halftime show.
The Nebraska and Northwestern bands will be in Dublin for pre-game and halftime entertainment. Nebraska will take 48 band members – predominantly seniors – and two directors.
Anthony said the stadium atmosphere “should be great,” even though the game is not expected to be a sellout. He did not disclose any details about entertainment, other than there would be plenty of pyrotechnics and smoke to rev up the atmosphere.
The bottom seven rows of sideline seats will be covered, so fans sitting close to the field won’t have to peer over and around the players to view the action.
“Everyone who goes will have a great time,” Anthony said. “They will love it. The Irish people love talking to Americans. Go to a pub, and meet and greet the Irish people.”
If you are traveling to Dublin for Saturday’s game or are just curious about the tailgating, pep rallies, and getting in and out of the stadium for the season opener, here are some things you should know…
Wear comfortable walking shoes
The one thing you need to know about Aviva Stadium is that there are no parking lots around the stadium.
The good news? Public transportation is plentiful and reliable. Buses, light rail, taxis, and the Luas tram system move people from the entertainment and hotel district within two blocks of the stadium.
Police will block traffic about one mile around the stadium two-and-one-half hours from game time. Those fans who purchased Anthony Travel packages will need to hop on buses to leave their hotels to the stadium at 4 p.m., about 90 minutes before kickoff.
It takes about 40 minutes to walk from the City Centre restaurant and entertainment district, which will be the hub on game day, to Aviva Stadium.
“It’s a great part of town, very safe,” Anthony said.
His advice to fans is to take a nice stroll to the stadium and enjoy the sites. There are plenty of pubs near the stadium.
For those who choose to rent a car to travel to the stadium, there are parking garages around City Centre. But public transportation is the most reliable alternative. For details on how to get to the stadium, go to https://www.avivastadium.ie/getting-here.
Pub-gating
No parking lots around the stadium means no tailgating, in Nebraska’s sense of the word. Instead, the party action will be in the pubs.
The official partying will begin with Nebraska’s pep rally on Friday, from 4:30 to 5:10 p.m. local time. The cheerleading squad and the band will perform in Merrion Square Park on the south side of the City Centre.
Nebraska’s pre-game “tailgate” starts at noon on Saturday in the Temple Bar Area. Gates at the stadium open at 4 p.m., with pre-game events beginning at 5 p.m. and kickoff at 5:30 p.m.
As for dedicated Nebraska pubs for pre and post-game hangouts, here’s the list from Anthony Travel:
Also, check out the Aer Lingus Classic app for more details on the game festivities and party sites.
Jason Benetti and Brock Huard will call the game for FOX.
Steve Rosen covers the business of sports for On3. Questions, comments, story ideas? Reach Steve at [email protected].
