Flight prices to Prague have already surged after it was announced Ireland would play the Czech Republic in Prague in the FIFA World Cup play-off semi-finals.
The clash between the two teams is scheduled for March 26th and demand for flights is already high.
The 17.45 flight from Dublin to Prague on March 25th is sold out, while anyone flying on the two other flights that day will need to fork out over €325.
The one flight departing Dublin Airport on March 24th is currently priced at €313.99.
There are no Ryanair flights scheduled from Cork or Belfast to Prague.
Street lanterns and old statues frame the historical buildings on Charles Bridge at dawn in Prague. Picture by: Robertharding / Alamy Stock Photo.Aer Lingus flights from Dublin to Prague have also sold out between March 24th and 26th.
However, hotel prices have yet to reflect the surge in Irish interest in the Czech capital.
A two night stay at the five star rated Grand Hotel Prague Towers between March 25th and 27th is currently priced at €331 for two adults - almost the same price as a one way plane ticket.
On the cheaper end of the spectrum, two nights at the Brix Hostel will cost two football fans €134.
While for those looking to splash out a bit more, two nights in a family room at the Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa will cost €985.
Ireland v Czech Republic
On Change.org, football fans have signed a petition urging the Government to designate March 27th a one off national holiday to commemorate the match.
On Lunchtime Live, petition founder Brion Kennedy recalled how he "completely got carried away” in the euphoria of the win on Sunday.
“I was watching the game with my brother and afterwards we came up with this [idea] that wouldn’t it be great if there was a national holiday the day after the semi-final,” he explained.
“Put it into a group chat, got a few decent reactions, so I just said I’d go for it.”
Josh Cullen of the Republic of Ireland takes a corner kick during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match. Photo by: Seb Daly/Sportsfile.Mr Kennedy added that he believed a bank holiday to mark the occasion would “promote that bit of unity in the country”.
“The Government could declare a once off national holiday on Friday 27th, just to allow the fans that are travelling over, as well as the fans who are watching it from home to gather with their friends and family, the people who mean the most to them so they can all watch it together,” he said.
Main image: Split of a Ryanair plane and footballers. Pictures by: RollingNews.ie and Sportsfile.
