In a landmark move, the National Football League (NFL) has announced that the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the league’s first-ever regular-season game in Dublin, Ireland, during the 2025 season. The historic matchup is set to take place at Croke Park, Ireland’s largest sporting arena, renowned for its rich history and capacity to accommodate over 82,000 spectators.
The Steelers’ connection to Ireland runs deep, primarily through the Rooney family, who have ancestral roots in Newry, County Down. The late Dan Rooney, former U.S. ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to 2012 and co-founder of the Ireland Funds charity, was instrumental in strengthening these ties. His son, Art Rooney II, current president of the Steelers, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming game: “The opportunity for the Pittsburgh Steelers to play in Ireland is truly special, not only because of the Rooney family history there, but also to play in front of the growing number of Steelers fans in Ireland.”
This isn’t the Steelers’ first foray onto Irish soil. In 1997, they faced the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Croke Park, marking one of the earliest instances of NFL action in Ireland. The upcoming 2025 game, however, will be the inaugural regular-season NFL game in the country, underscoring the league’s commitment to expanding its international footprint.
Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President of Club Business and League Events, highlighted the significance of this expansion: “Both the NFL and the Steelers franchise have deep roots and history in Ireland, and we’re looking forward to making our regular-season debut in Dublin, bringing our game to a large and passionate Irish fan base … .”
The NFL’s choice of Dublin aligns with its broader strategy to engage international audiences. In addition to the Dublin game, the 2025 season will feature matchups in London, Berlin, and Madrid. Looking ahead, the league has also announced plans for its first regular-season game in Australia in 202 … , with the Los