FRISCO, Texas — Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell says the Cyclones’ international season opener against Kansas State in Ireland will test every aspect of the program’s preparation and identity.
Speaking Tuesday at Big 12 Media Day in Frisco, Campbell said the August 23 matchup in Dublin — one of college football’s headline Week Zero games — is both an honor and a unique challenge for Iowa State football.
“You know, when you look at the start of the college football season, I think you look first and foremost, and you're very honored to play in this game, and obviously the respect that myself and our kids have for Kansas State and being a rival game, and respect for their program and their players, you know, it just makes it a really unique opportunity,” Campbell said.
The Cyclones and Wildcats will open the 2025 season as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, a 47,000-seat venue configured for American football. It will be Iowa State’s first international football game and the first Big 12 Conference matchup ever played in Ireland. Kansas State has played just one other game outside the United States — a 1992 game in Tokyo against Nebraska.
The rivalry adds extra intrigue. Iowa State and Kansas State will meet for the 108th time at the end of the 2024 regular season before turning around to face each other again in the Week Zero kickoff abroad. The Aug. 23 matchup will be the sixth college football game ever held at Aviva Stadium and the 10th all-time in Ireland.
Campbell said the staff began planning back in January, adjusting Iowa State’s spring and summer calendars to handle the travel, the time zone changes and the physical toll of playing so far from home so early in the season.
“I almost feel like since January, we've had to talk about this, not only, you know, man, what does it mean to play a game like that, that early in the season, but also the travel and what happens post that game,” Campbell said. “How do you do a job making sure practice fits, fall camp fits, you know, the lead up to this unique opportunity at week zero, and then obviously, how are you preparing post this game to get ready to play some hugely impactful football games right as soon as you get back from Ireland.”
He added that Iowa State’s identity — built on player development and recruiting consistency — is crucial for tackling such a big moment.
“I think the great thing about Iowa State football is we really haven't changed,” Campbell said. “We say all the time our kind of guys, who fit Iowa State football, and it's really helped us be able to navigate the player acquisition process and certainly find the right young men for our program.”
The Cyclones and Wildcats will kick off the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic on Aug. 23 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.