Pubs across Dublin city centre saw a spending hike of 57% over the weekend of the American football game in Croke Park last month.
New figures from the latest Bank of Ireland Spending Pulse, which looked at debit and credit card spending over the weekend of 25-28 September, shows the NFL's arrival in Ireland for its first official match sparked a spending bonanza in central Dublin.
Total spending in the Dublin 1, 2, 3 and 4 areas ahead of the Croke Park clash rose by 12% compared to the same period in 2024, while social spending spiked by 17% and retail spending rose by 6%.
Bank of Ireland said on game day itself, 28 September, the real economic boost could be felt, as pubs across the city centre posted a spending hike of 57%. Spending in restaurants jumped by 20% while health and beauty spas recorded a spending surge of of 72%.
Meanwhile, spending on sports apparel rose by 35% in the lead up to the game as supporters got decked out in the latest gear.
Transport spending across the city centre rose by a whopping 256% as buses, rail and tram services were all in demand, and Dublin taxi drivers took in an additional 7%, today's survey also reveals.
"It was a case of 'America's Game' coming to Ireland as the NFL played its first overseas match at Croke Park, an event which proved to be boom time for retailers as visitors enjoyed the best that the capital city has to offer," Owen Clifford, Head of Retail Sector at Bank of Ireland said.
"Our card spending insights reveal that the estimated 35,000 US visitors really splashed out, proving that these types of occasions can be a real boost for businesses across a range of sectors," he added.
