As the NFL continues its ambitious global expansion strategy, the league has announced its first-ever regular-season game in Ireland, scheduled for Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Dublin’s historic Croke Park. The Pittsburgh Steelers will serve as the home team against the Minnesota Vikings in what promises to be a watershed moment for American football in Europe, taking place during Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season.
Croke Park, Ireland’s largest stadium with a capacity exceeding 82,300, offers state-of-the-art facilities while carrying deep cultural significance for the Irish people. The venue previously hosted the Steelers for a preseason game in 1997, creating a meaningful historical connection for this landmark event. Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM local time, allowing for prime viewing across European and American time zones. The event will showcase Croke Park’s impressive history of hosting significant sporting events, including the Special Olympics.
The selection of the Steelers as the home team strategically leverages the franchise’s strong Irish-American connections through the Rooney family heritage, while the Vikings bring their unblemished international game record to Dublin. Remarkably, Minnesota will play back-to-back international games, heading to London immediately following their Irish appearance.
The Steelers bring Irish roots while the Vikings maintain their perfect international record in this strategic Dublin matchup.
Tickets are already generating substantial interest among both local and international fans, with various pricing categories designed to maximize accessibility while meeting commercial objectives. The NFL anticipates record-setting attendance figures given the novelty of American football in Ireland and the considerable capacity of Croke Park.
This Dublin game represents more than just sporting entertainment; it serves as a calculated business expansion into new European territory beyond the established markets in the UK and Germany. The NFL’s partnership with the Irish government and Dublin City Council demonstrates the significant local support for bringing American football to Ireland.
Through extensive digital engagement strategies and broadcast arrangements, the NFL aims to convert casual Irish sports enthusiasts into dedicated American football fans while providing unprecedented media exposure for the sport in a region hungry for new athletic entertainment options. Game-day content will be available across streaming platforms to maximize global reach and engagement for international viewers. The game is expected to deliver significant economic benefits to Ireland through increased tourism spending and business opportunities. The league plans to leverage social media advertising to build excitement and engage fans across Europe in the months leading up to this historic Dublin debut.
