This summer sporting calendar has been decimated but there remains one curious exception.

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic scheduled for August appears to be going ahead as planned at the Aviva Stadium.

The game between American football rivals Navy and Notre Dame is still due to go ahead on 29 August despite an Irish government ban on all gatherings in excess of 5,000 people until September.

Organisers told RTÉ Sport that the game does not require a licence, so would therefore not be covered by that regulation, but that they will make a final call on whether it can proceed in June.

35,000 fans travelled from America when the sides last met in the country in 2012 and similar numbers are expected again. The game is close to a sell out, with only a limited number of tickets remaining available to purchase through the official channels. 

Many more will form part of the official travelling party from each university. Each team has a playing staff of over 100 players, with dozens more in coaching and logistics staff. 

The Notre Dame marching band who will perform at the game has 300 members.

A statement from the organisers of the event to RTÉ Sport said: "The event organisers are working closely with their Irish and American partners, including the Irish government, the US Naval Academy, the University of Notre Dame and the governing body of collegiate sport to monitor the situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"The recent Irish government announcement on 'licences for gatherings over 5,000' does not apply to this fixture as the game does not require a licence.

"However, the Universities and the governing body for collegiate sport in the United States are currently working towards options and solutions on how to manage the upcoming sporting season.

"Public Health and safety advice will remain paramount, so during this crucial time, event organisers of the College Football Classic Series have asked for support to allow the universities and the NCAA to finalise their recommendations with an expected announcement in mid-June.

"At that time, the event organisers will in turn be in a position to update on the specifics of the Navy vs. Notre Dame scheduled for 29 August 2020 at the Aviva Stadium."

Speaking to local media in the States on Monday, Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk said no announcement of a schedule change is imminent.

In fact he suggested that "It is way too early to speculate about the status of the season opener".

The game is believed to worth tens of millions to the Irish economy and is due to be broadcast live on American television on what will be the opening weekend of the college football season.