NFL Returns to Ireland
The National Football League will make a long-awaited return to Ireland this Sunday when the Minnesota Vikings face the Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park in Dublin. Kickoff is scheduled for 14:30 BST, with live text commentary beginning an hour earlier on the BBC Sport website and app.
Dublin will become the fourth European city to host a regular-season NFL game, joining London, Frankfurt and Barcelona. The announcement was made earlier this year at the Super Bowl in New Orleans, creating buzz on both sides of the Atlantic. For many Irish fans, it marks the fulfillment of years of anticipation.
Steelers’ Irish Heritage
The Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the NFL’s most decorated franchises with six Super Bowl titles, have deep roots in Ireland. Founded in 1933 by Art Rooney, the team is still owned by the Rooney family, whose ancestors emigrated from Newry in the 1840s.
Those ties were highlighted in 1997, when Pittsburgh played a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Croke Park in front of more than 25,000 fans. Since then, the Rooney family has maintained its connection to Ireland, with the NFL officially granting the Steelers marketing rights for the island in 2023.
For the Rooneys, this weekend represents a symbolic homecoming nearly two centuries in the making, linking their family story with the global growth of the NFL.
Irish Fans Embrace the Moment
The NFL estimates that more than 350,000 people in Ireland now follow the league, and excitement has been building throughout the week. The Steelers’ return has been described as a “dream come true” for local fans, many of whom have long hoped to see their team play a meaningful game on Irish soil.
For the wider sporting community, hosting an NFL regular-season matchup puts Dublin on the same stage as some of the world’s largest cities. It underscores Ireland’s growing reputation as a hub for international sporting events.
A Landmark Game
When the Steelers and Vikings take the field, the game will represent more than just points on the scoreboard. It will be a celebration of heritage, global sports culture, and the enduring appeal of American football far beyond U.S. borders.
With historic Croke Park as the backdrop, Irish fans will witness an event that bridges continents and honors tradition, while also marking a new chapter in the NFL’s international expansion.