An NFL team will be looking for hoping for some luck of the Irish next season.
The league announced Friday that it will play its first-ever regular season game in Dublin, Ireland in 2025. The game will take place at Croke Park — the largest sporting arena in Ireland and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will play as the designated team since Steelers’ president Art Rooney II and his family have a rich history and deep connection with the Island.
In addition to having family from Newry, County Down, the late Dan M. Rooney, Art Rooney’s father, served as U.S. ambassador to Ireland from 2009-2012 and was a co-founder of the Ireland Funds charity.
The Steelers are one of only two NFL teams to have played a game in Ireland to date, a preseason matchup in 1997 against the Chicago Bears at Croke Park as part of the American Bowl series.
“We are very excited to be the designated team in the first regular season game to be played in Ireland this upcoming season,” 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. 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.”
The NFL has rapidly expanded its global games in recent seasons, holding games in London, Munich and Sao Paulo in 2024.
In 2025, the NFL has confirmed games in London, Berlin and Madrid as part of the international slate. Australia will host a game in 2026.
“This 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,” said Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport Patrick O’Donovan TD.
“Hosting a regular season NFL game in 2025 will have huge benefits for Irish tourism, the wider economy and our sports ecosystem. 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 U.S., Europe and further afield to our shores for this historic game.”
The full matchup including opposition, date and kickoff time will be announced when the 2025 NFL schedule is revealed this spring.
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Publish date : 2025-02-07 11:44:00
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