Major ESPN College GameDay broadcasting change from start of 2024 season will have huge effect on Pat McAfee
COLLEGE GameDay is set to travel abroad for the first time ever next year.
The iconic ESPN show will open the 2024 season from Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, where Florida State will take on Georgia Tech in Week 0.
That means a trip back to the homeland for Pat McAfee, 36, who has Irish roots.
"Yeah, I've got to get Guinness, pour a pint, do the thing," McAfee said as the College GameDay crew shared the news on Saturday.
He then added with an Irish accent: "Patrick McAfee excited to get over there. What an honor.
Meanwhile, host Rece Davis said the occasion will mark his first trip outside of North America.
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"That’s going to be worth me getting my first passport just to go," Davis said.
College GameDay was supposed to travel to Dublin in 2020 for a clash between Notre Dame and Navy before it was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Traveling College GameDay overseas and sharing the excitement and traditions of college football with sports fans from other countries is something we’ve always wanted to do," ESPN executive Seth Markman said in a statement.
"Ireland is an amazing country known for having very passionate sports fans, so we expect an incredible atmosphere and experience for this first-ever international show in Dublin."
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The season premiere will feature McAfee even though the ex-NFL player has been hinting at potentially leaving the College GameDay cast.
The ESPN star has promised to return to the show but added the online abuse he receives from certain college football fanbases is starting to weigh on him.
"I pride myself on being a good locker room guy, good vibes guy, good energy guy," the former Indianapolis Colts punter said on last week's Pat McAfee Show.
"It is becoming something where it’s like, every single Saturday, do I want to read — because I’m on the internet a lot, we’re an internet show, so I’m like on there.
"People are like, 'Don’t read your mentions.' It’s like, 'I have to.' It’s part of our job.
"These college fans are awesome, they’re phenomenal, they’re incredibly passionate. But man, that negativity..."
McAfee added: "How about this? I’m back.
"I don’t love it. I don’t love that my life is just going to continue to have people telling me to run into oncoming traffic, swallow a barrel."