01/08/2026
Galway's Dexcom Stadium has been selected as one of 10 venues around Ireland that will be used as a platform to find, train, and transition Irish kicking talent into American college football.
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic has partnered with Leader Kicking (set up by former Connacht Rugby player, Darragh Leader), to launch "Ireland’s Kicking King: The Road to Ryan Field."
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 Irish athletes between the ages of 16 to 24 a direct pathway to a US Division 1 College Football scholarship and a $10,000 NIL contract.
The event starts with regional trials across the country, and 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 on Saturday August 29.
The Galway trial will take place at Dexcom Stadium on Sunday August 16 from 11am to 12.30pm.
To register for a trial (and to see other venues around Ireland hosting similar events on other days as part of this initiative), visit roadtoryanfield.com and follow and on social media for updates.
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