Kansas State fans show up in huge numbers as Wildcats prepare for gameday in Dublin
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kansas State fans filled Dublin parks ahead of the Aer Lingus Classic kickoff.
- Wildcats players and coaches credited fan turnout for boosting team morale.
- Kansas State's strong fan base helped secure its place in the international game.
Kansas State fans have traveled by the thousands to take over faraway cities for a weekend of football numerous times over the past few decades. But things feel different this week as EMAW nation has flocked overseas for a season-opening game against Iowa State on Saturday at Aviva Stadium.
You could realize that by the way K-State play-by-play man Wyatt Thompson addressed a jam-packed park of purple-clad supporters here on Friday.
He had a microphone in his hand, but he still chose to yell when he spoke to the crowd. And then he pumped his fist as he asked, “How are all you Dublin Wildcats doing?”
The crowd, which was estimated to be as high as 10,000 and large enough to fill an entire city park in this historic city, responded with roars of approval.
That meant a great deal to the K-State football players who will take the field on Saturday in a much-anticipated game in front of those very supporters who traveled six time zones away from Manhattan to cheer them on.
“It’s been like this in all my years,” K-State defensive end Cody Stufflebean said. “It doesn’t matter if we’re in New Orleans, Dublin or anywhere else. It’s all the same with our fans.”
“I know Kansas State fans travel heavy,” K-State offensive lineman Taylor Poitier added. “They showed out today. They are here from the front to the back.”
This was the moment many K-State fans have been waiting for. Purple has been noticeable all across Dublin and its surrounding areas in recent days. Fans were having a good time drinking Guinness and exploring bars and restaurants across town. But now it was time for them to focus on football.
They were ready when the Wildcats arrived at the pep rally.
“Holy crap,” K-State athletic director Gene Taylor said to the crowd. “That is a lot of people. For our kids to look out and see this crowd is a big compliment. We’ve got the best fan base in the country.”
Iowa State fans also traveled to Dublin in large numbers. It will be interesting to see which team has more fans in attendance on Saturday. But the Wildcats stressed to fans that this is their home game. They urged fans to be as loud as possible at kickoff so the Cyclones feel like the game is being played in Manhattan instead of at a neutral site.
Quarterback Avery Johnson thinks that will happen.
“Seeing all these fans,” he said, “this is truly a home game and we are so excited to put on a show for you.”
Head coach Chris Klieman has gone out of his way to compliment K-State fans over the past few weeks.
He thinks they are one of the main reasons why the folks at the Aer Lingus Classic invited K-State to move its home game against Iowa State from Manhattan to Dublin this season. Most teams need a national brand to play in this game. Teams that have been here before include Notre Dame, Florida State and Nebraska. North Carolina, TCU, Wisconsin and Pittsburgh are on deck to make the trip overseas in future years.
Klieman is proud to see the K-State brand associated with that group.
It wouldn’t be possible without a large traveling fan base.
“I know that this game is going to continue to grow,” Klieman said. “The fact that not only were we a part of it, but we were chosen, I think is a really cool thing. It wasn’t just random out of the hat. We were chosen. I think all the pubs are going to see why.”
This story was originally published August 22, 2025 at 12:18 PM with the headline "Kansas State fans show up in huge numbers as Wildcats prepare for gameday in Dublin."