Pop-Tarts Just Made Iowa State vs. Kansas State Even Weirder—in the Best Way

That’s right. Each of the past two Pop-Tarts Bowl champions will be bringing their frosted flavor mascots overseas: Iowa State rolls in with Frosted Wild Berry, and Kansas State counters with Frosted Hot Fudge Sundae, following the fate of the original Frosted Strawberry (RIP).

Both mascots survived the chaos of the bowl’s viral postgame “eat the mascot” tradition. Now, they’re crossing the Atlantic for one more run, this time with an international spotlight.

Pop-Tarts isn’t just slapping its name on the game. They’re going full send with the theater. The winning team in Dublin will reportedly get to devour the opposing mascot again, continuing the tradition that made the Pop-Tarts Bowl the most talked-about postseason game of 2023 and 2024.

This isn’t just about marketing, it’s about putting a stamp on two Big 12 programs that earned it. Iowa State won the bowl last season. Kansas State started the edible-mascot trend the year before when players chomped on a frosted Pop-Tart in the end zone. Now, both get a rematch of sorts in a game that matters even more.

And it’s just so happening in front of a packed Aviva Stadium in Ireland.

Pop-Tarts is doubling down in Dublin on the kind of pageantry that made their bowl a social media juggernaut. They’re turning the Aer Lingus Classic into something more than just a neutral site opener; it’s a full-on show. If you’ve followed Iowa State and Kansas State lately, you know they won’t back down from the stage.

Forget the novelty. This one’s got real football stakes and two teams ready to feast, maybe literally.