The NFL is officially expanding its international reach, with the Pittsburgh Steelers set to play the league’s first-ever regular season game in Dublin, Ireland, in 2025. This historic matchup will take place at Croke Park, a renowned stadium with a capacity of over 82,000 fans.
The Steelers were a natural choice to host this inaugural game, given their strong connections to Ireland. The team’s founding family, the Rooneys, have deep roots in the country. Daniel M. Rooney, the former Steelers chairman, served as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to 2012 and founded The Ireland Funds, a prominent philanthropic organization.
“We are very excited to be the designated team in the first regular-season game to be played in Ireland this upcoming season,” Steelers President Art Rooney II said in a statement. “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 game marks a significant milestone in the NFL’s international expansion efforts. The league has been hosting games in London since 2007 and has since added matches in Mexico, Germany, and Brazil. The 2025 season will also feature games in Madrid, Berlin, and Australia in 2026.
While the opponent for the Steelers’ Dublin game has not been announced, the team’s home schedule includes matchups against the Bengals, Browns, Ravens, Bills, Dolphins, Colts, Packers, Vikings, and Seahawks.
The NFL’s decision to bring a regular-season game to Ireland is a testament to the country’s passionate sports fans and its ability to host large-scale events. As Steelers Director of Business Development & Strategy Dan Rooney noted, “Dublin was positioned perfectly as a city that can handle large-scale events like a regular-season NFL game”.
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