NFL confirms inaugural Ireland regular season game for 2025
The NFL has confirmed the league’s first ever regular season game in Dublin, Ireland, which will take place during the 2025 season.
The historic occasion will be held at Croke Park, the 82,300-seat Gaelic sports stadium, which is the country’s largest venue, through an agreement with the Government of Ireland, and the Dublin City Council.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steeles have been revealed as the designated home team for the fixture, as the franchise aims to further expand its Irish fanbase.
Ar Aghaidh Linn 🇮🇪☘️
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) February 7, 2025
The NFL is coming to Dublin, Ireland and the @steelers are the designated team! pic.twitter.com/kpAemsOUvc
The Steelers have held marketing rights across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland since 2023 through the NFL’s Global Markets Programme (GMP), and previously played a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Croke Park in 1997.
The Rooney family, which owns the Steelers, has a deep connection to the Island of Ireland, with specific ties to Newry, County Down.
Further details on the NFL’s inaugural Ireland regular season game will be revealed when the league releases its 2025 schedule in spring.
Last year, NFL Flag was launched in Ireland, through a partnership between the league and American Football Ireland (AFI), as the league bids to drive growth of the sport at grassroots level.
From the 2025 season, the NFL will be able to stage up to eight international games each year. Last week, the NFL announced its first ever Australia fixture in 2026, with the Los Angeles Rams set to host a regular season matchup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
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Research conducted by Nielsen Sports released 6th February, revealed how the NFL is the fastest growing sport in the UK, with the league’s fanbase increasing by 49% since 2021, adding an additional 2.8 million new fans in just three years.
In December, the league announced plans for its first ever game in Berlin, with the Indianapolis Colts recently unveiled as the home team. The Miami Dolphins will play as the home team for the league’s first regular season game in Spain, which will take place at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium later this year.
London will also stage three fixtures next season, with the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, and Jacksonville Jaguars confirmed as the designated teams.
“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,” said Peter O’Reilly, EVP of International, League Events, and Club Business at the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Art Rooney II, President of the Pittsburgh Steelers, added, “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.
“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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