PRESS RELEASE
Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) 2026 to Showcase the Best of American High School Football in Dublin for the 7th Time since 2012.
The Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) 2026 will take place on Friday, 28 August 2026, with the headline game kicking off at 3:00 p.m. at Energia Park, Donnybrook.
The feature matchup will see two outstanding American high school football programmes, Grapevine Faith (Texas) and Ambassador Christian (North Carolina) go head-to-head in what promises to be an exciting and highly competitive contest. The teams will proudly represent the states featured in Saturday’s Aviva Stadium matchup featuring TCU and the University of North Carolina.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or by scanning the QR code displayed.
More than just a game, GIFT 2026 is an official element of the AER LINGUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL CLASSIC, and will provide spectators of all ages with an authentic American high school football experience. Prior to kick-off, attendees can enjoy an 8-team flag football tournament and a traditional American tailgate, creating a festival atmosphere for fans of all ages. A high school drum line from Grapevine Faith will keep the atmosphere rocking in-stadium for 4 quarters of American football action. The GIFT stadium announcer, Ty Henry, just led his Louth Mavericks American Football team to the AFI Shamrock Bowl Championship, so fans will be listening to the Head Coach and Quarterback of Ireland’s top team throughout the game!
The event also serves as an opportunity for cultural exchange, bringing together Irish and American sporting traditions. Visitors from across the United States, travelling to Ireland for the College Football Classic 2026 at the Aviva Stadium the following day, will join supporters from across Europe for one of the biggest sporting weekends on the Irish calendar.
In advance of the event, Patrick Steenberge, Founder and President of Global Football and former quarterback for the University of Notre Dame, will host a preparatory coaching session for aspiring Irish American football players at Trinity College Dublin, Sunday August 23 from 2-3:30 pm. The non-contact LINEMEN LEAGUE Clinic will be conducted by TRENCH UNIVERSITY, in partnership with Global Football. Participants will have the opportunity to learn the fundamental skills and techniques of the game, with focus on OFFENSIVE & DEFENSIVE LINE PLAY.
All participants in the Trinity College coaching session will receive complimentary tickets to the August 28th GIFT game, and the session is open to everyone for just 20euro, regardless of previous experience. In addition to the Friday boys American Football tackle game, the two participating schools will also bring their ladies volleyball programs to compete Friday morning against one another, along with competing against local Irish teams.
Media organisations and potential sponsors are warmly invited to become involved in GIFT 2026. Sponsorship opportunities include placement in the official game-day programme, Livestream advertising, in-stadium visibility and promotional exposure throughout the event. With an expected attendance of approximately 3,000 spectators from across Ireland and overseas, GIFT 2026 provides an excellent platform for local and national businesses and media organisations to reach a diverse international audience.
For further information, media enquiries, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Patrick Steenberge
email: Patrick@globalfootball.com
Mitch Osadchuk
email: Mitch@globalfootball.com
Max Grasso
email: fundraising@stjamesgatefc.com