Sept. 21, 2010

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland will host the 86th playing of the Navy-Notre Dame game on Sept. 1, 2012, Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk and Aviva Stadium Director Martin Murphy announced today.

“To see this stadium is to believe it has to be one of the finest venues in the world,” said Gladchuk. “Although modest in capacity, few stadiums anywhere have attended to the detail, aesthetics and fan comfort found at Aviva. I guarantee those who travel to Ireland and attend this event will enjoy an experience that will be awesome and a memory not to be forgotten. Navy is very much looking forward to our visit and the wonderful experience we expect our coaches, players, fans and friends will enjoy.”

“We are all delighted that Navy has chosen Aviva Stadium for its game against Notre Dame in 2012,” said Murphy. “We fully realize just how important this game is in the U.S. sporting calendar and we are looking forward to hosting what will undoubtedly be a fantastic event. The selection of Aviva Stadium for this game is a huge endorsement of the stadium and it is a terrific boost for Irish tourism as I have no doubt the teams’ fans will travel in great numbers. We are confident they will have a memorable time in Ireland.”

The Irish American Football Association (IAFA) released a statement today praising the game returning to Ireland. “We are delighted with the news that Navy and Notre Dame are coming to Dublin in 2012. Given the rivalry between the two teams, we are sure it will be a wonderful spectacle and will have a really positive impact on the game of American Football in Ireland.”

The $410 million four level state-of-the art facility opened in May and has a seating capacity of 50,000 with all seats under cover. The stadium consists of continuous curvilinear shaped stands enclosing all four sides of the ground. The South, East and West stands have four tiers of seating for spectators, while the bottom and top tiers provide the main volume of seats. The second tier of the stadium consists of 10,000 club seats and the third tier houses 36 luxury suites.

The stadium was designed by Populous (formerly HOK Sport Architecture) in conjunction with local Dublin-based Scott Tallon Walker. Populous, one of the world’s leading sports architecture firms, had previously been involved in projects such as Reliant Stadium, Heinz Field, Yankee Stadium, Camden Yards and the Sydney Olympic Stadium. Currently they are working on a number of the facilities for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The Navy-Notre Dame rivalry is the longest continuous intersectional rivalry in college football with the two schools having met every year since 1927. The 84th meeting between the two schools will take place on Saturday, Oct. 23, at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutheford, N.J. Kickoff is set for 12 noon and will be nationally televised by CBS.

— ND —