The Global Ireland Football Tournament (G.I.F.T.) dates back to 2012, when 12 teams decided to travel to the Emerald Isle and showcase their talents. The event was declared an unprecedented success as more than 13,000 spectators flocked to three venues to enjoy the spectacle of high school and college American football teams, bands, cheerleaders and dancers in action in a special Dublin Friday Night Lights event organized by Global Football.
Since 2012, the G.I.F.T. event has welcomed 36 different school teams, from thirteen states and four nations. The event has taken place in Dublin, Ireland five different times (2012, 2014, 2016, 2023, and 2024) with 2025 marking the sixth year. The event runs alongside the FBS opener, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. It includes a week’s worth of cultural and experiential learning activities, mixed with practices, a pep rally, parade and global media coverage.
Teams that have participated in the Global Ireland Football Tournament:
2012: (Notre Dame vs Navy)
Notre Dame HS, CA vs. Hamilton HS, AZ
Notre Dame Prep School, AZ vs. Father Judge HS, PA
Loyola Academy, IL vs. Jesuit High School, TX
Villanova College Prep, Ontario, Canada vs. Oak Park HS, Winnipeg, Canada
Kent School, CT vs. National School of American Football, United Kingdom
John Carroll University, OH vs. St. Norbert College, WI
2014: (Penn State vs Central Florida)
Penn Manor HS, PA vs. Cedar Cliff HS, PA
2016: (Boston College vs Georgia Tech)
St. Peter’s Prep, NJ vs. Blessed Trinity HS, GA
Marist School, GA vs. Belen Jesuit HS, FL
Westminster School, GA vs. Community School of Naples, FL
2023: (Notre Dame vs Navy)
Bonner & Prendie, PA vs. NFL Academy, United Kingdom
Seton Hall Prep, NJ vs. Baylor School, TN
Community School of Naples, FL vs. AFI Wolfhounds, Ireland
2024: (Georgia Tech vs Florida State)
Maclay School, FL vs. Windham School, NH
IMG Academy, FL vs. Episcopal School of Dallas, TX
AFI Jr. Wolfhounds, Ireland vs. Great Britain U19’s, United Kingdom
2025: (Iowa State vs Kansas State)
Hun School, NJ vs. NFL Academy, United Kingdom
Kiski School, PA vs. AFI Jr. Wolfhounds, Ireland
Browse our website to learn more about previous G.I.F.T. events!