Colleges across the country are shifting their focus this fall as many look back at the long history of college football played outside the United States. While the tradition of American football began in the late 1800s, international games have been part of the sport’s story for just as long.
One of the first international matchups took place in Montreal, Canada, in 1874 when Harvard faced off against McGill University. This two-game series was pivotal; Harvard won both encounters, but it was McGill’s rugby-style game that caught the attention of Harvard players, leading them to incorporate some of those techniques into their play. This mix of styles played a crucial role in shaping what we know as American football today.
Moving into the 20th century, the Bacardi Bowl in Havana, Cuba, marked a significant chapter in collegiate football history. The first official Bacardi Bowl occurred in 1907, where LSU dominated the University of Havana with a score of 56-0. These games were not just about football; they served as major social events that attracted much attention. The last Bacardi Bowl in 1946 saw Mississippi Southern winning against Havana in front of a huge crowd.
In the 1970s, real change kicked in as the NCAA allowed colleges to play a regular-season game in another country every four years. The 1976 Pioneer Bowl in Tokyo became the first postseason game held outside of the Americas, attracting over 50,000 fans watching Grambling State defeat Morgan State 42-16.
Fast forward to modern-day football, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic held annually in Dublin, Ireland, started gaining momentum in 2022, continuing a tradition that began with Boston College’s victory over Army back in 1988. This game has already captured the hearts of college football fans with attendance figures averaging over 40,000.
As interest in international games grows, so do the stories surrounding them. Just last year, in a surprising turn of events, Georgia Tech managed to upset Florida State in a thrilling match held at Aviva Stadium.
Even the Bahamas Bowl has become a staple since it began in 2014, offering a postseason showdown between teams from the MAC and C-USA. The inaugural game set a record for being the highest scoring in its history when Western Kentucky narrowly defeated Central Michigan 49-48.
With all these exciting games and events, the new season is brimming with hope for college football teams participating in international matches and the stories that will unfold along the way.
