The National Football League will play its first ever Irish regular season game in Dublin’s Croke Park in 2025.

This venture to Ireland is a result of the league continuing to expand its global footprint and take the game to new audiences around the world.

The 2025 NFL Dublin game will take place at Croke Park in partnership with the Government of Ireland and Dublin City Council.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will play as the designated team for the historic first game.

AFC quarterback Russell Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers. February 2, 2025 (Doug Benc/AP Images for NFL)

Steelers’ president Art Rooney II and his family have a “rich history and deep connection” with the island of Ireland - with family from Newry, County Down.

The late Dan M. Rooney, Art Rooney’s father, served as US ambassador to Ireland from 2009-2012 and was a co-founder of the Ireland Funds charity.

NFL Executive Vice President International, League Events and Club Business Peter O'Reilly said the NFL are delighted to officially bring a regular season NFL game to Ireland as part of their 2025 International Games slate.

“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 and underlining the NFL’s commitment to global growth,” he said.

(Left to right) Pittsburgh Steelers' Dan Rooney , NFL's Peter O’Reilly, Charlie McConalogue and NFL's Henry Hodgson. Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in New Orleans. (Lauren Justice/AP Content Services for the NFL)

Steelers’ President Art Rooney II said the team are very excited to be the designated team in the first regular season game to be played in Ireland this upcoming season.

“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,” he said.

“We are thrilled to be part of this historic event to represent Pittsburgh in a game that brings the NFL to the great sports fans in Ireland.”

 

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Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport Patrick O’Donovan said this announcement is a major vote of confidence in Ireland’s ability to host world class events and in Dublin’s reputation as “one of the most welcoming cities in the world”.

“Hosting a regular season NFL game in 2025 will have huge benefits for Irish tourism, the wider economy and our sports ecosystem,” he said.

“It will also build upon the deep cultural, family and economic ties between Ireland and the United States.

“I look forward to welcoming thousands of American football fans from the US, Europe and further afield to our shores for this historic game, and also to the ongoing collaboration with the NFL, Sport Ireland and American Football Ireland to grow American football participation in Ireland…”

Ireland vs. england in the six nations rugby in croke park dublin. Image: Alamy

Minister of State for Sport Charlie McConalogue said that Ireland has already established itself as a key overseas home for American college football with the established success of the annual College Classic every August.

“Bringing the NFL to Dublin is a logical and natural next step and builds on the growing engagement among Irish sports fans with all forms of American football,” he said.

“It also builds on the deep relationships between Ireland and the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Rooney family, and I hope that the Rooneys and the Steelers Nation will feel like they’re coming home when they arrive in Ireland.”

The full matchup including opposition, date and kick-off time will be announced when the 2025 NFL schedule is revealed this spring.

Main image: (Left to right) Pittsburgh Steelers' Dan Rooney , NFL's Peter O’Reilly, Charlie McConalogue and NFL's Henry Hodgson. Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in New Orleans. (Lauren Justice/AP Content Services for the NFL)