DUBLIN, IRELAND \u2014 Feb. 07, 2025 \u2014 <\/b>The National Football League will play its first-ever regular season game in Dublin, Ireland in 2025 as the league continues to expand its global footprint and take the game to new audiences around the world.<\/p>\n
The 2025 NFL Dublin game will take place at Croke Park \u2014 the largest sporting arena in Ireland and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) \u2014 in partnership with the Government of Ireland and Dublin City Council (Dublin City).<\/p>\n
The Pittsburgh Steelers will play as the designated team for the historic first game. Steelers\u2019 president Art Rooney II and his family have a rich history and deep connection with the Island of Ireland, having family from Newry, County Down. The late Dan M. Rooney, Art Rooney\u2019s father, served as U.S. ambassador to Ireland from 2009-2012 and was a co-founder of the Ireland Funds charity.<\/p>\n
The Steelers are also 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are delighted to officially bring a regular season NFL game to Ireland as part of our 2025 International Games slate,\u201d said Executive Vice President International, League Events and Club Business at the NFL Peter O’Reilly. \u201cBoth the NFL and the Steelers franchise have deep roots and history in Ireland, and we\u2019re 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\u2019s commitment to global growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very excited to be the designated team in the first regular season game to be played in Ireland this upcoming season,\u201d said Steelers\u2019 President Art Rooney II. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a major vote of confidence in Ireland\u2019s ability to host world class events and in Dublin\u2019s reputation as one of the most welcoming cities in the world,\u201d said Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport Patrick O\u2019Donovan TD. \u201cHosting 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, and also to the ongoing collaboration with the NFL, Sport Ireland and American Football Ireland to grow American football participation in Ireland, both the tackle and flag format of the game, as part of the government\u2019s commitment to increasing the number of people regularly participating in sport and physical activity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Croke Park has played host to many iconic sporting moments. It is the home of the GAA and hosts the Gaelic football and hurling All-Ireland finals every year, in 2003 it held the Special Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies and in 1996 it held the college football game between Notre Dame and the Navy. In addition to its sporting heritage, the venue has welcomed global music icons including U2, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay and Taylor Swift.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are absolutely delighted to welcome the NFL and the Pittsburgh Steelers to Croke Park,\u201d said GAA President, Jarlath Burns. \u201cThis event will not only highlight our stadium’s world-class facilities but also reinforce the connections and love of sport shared between our communities. Croke Park is a proud symbol of Ireland\u2019s rich sporting heritage, and hosting one of the world\u2019s best sporting organizations is a momentous occasion for the entire country. It will be a special and unique event, celebrating the passion uniting two great sporting codes in the heart of Dublin.\u201d<\/p>\n
The full matchup including opposition, date and kickoff time will be announced when the 2025 NFL schedule is revealed this spring.<\/p>\n