NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell continues to expand the influence of the National Football League and American football around the world.
The NFL has held games in the United Kingdom for a number of years. Germany has joined the list of European games.
And in an ever expanding list of international games, Dublin, Ireland has just been announced as the newest location with the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting a game at Croke Park with the opponent and date being announced this spring.
This will not be the first time that the Steelers have played a game at Croke Park; they played a pre-season game in 1997 against the Chicago Bears.
Madrid and Berlin will also be hosting games this season for the first time.
Melbourne, Australia is slated to join the international lineup next year.
The executive vice president for international events in the NFL Peter O’Reilly spoke on the new announcement saying, “I think the emotion you hear from all of us is the excitement to bring a regular-season game to Ireland with the Steelers, and how special that will be, and yes, it ultimately comes back to the fans. We see Irish fans travel to games in London or Germany or elsewhere, but this is a game on Irish soil, in Dublin, at Croke Park, and an opportunity to create an incredible atmosphere.”
The Steelers already have games scheduled against the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, and Seattle Seahawks. O’Reilly noted, “the scheduling of the Steelers’ opponent will be done as part of our more traditional scheduling timeline this spring. I can’t really comment on specifics there. That said, my sense is there are a lot of clubs who are interested in being part of this historic game. This is a big first in a market that a lot of people are excited about.”
During the 2025 NFL season there could be as many as eight international games played during the regular season.
Cleveland Browns and New York Jets will be playing in the United Kingdom
the Indianapolis Colts will host the Berlin game
the Miami Dolphins will host the inaugural game in Madrid
Croke Park has been the site of a number of college football games including Notre Dame, Navy, and Florida State.
“I think our focus in growing our game globally is growing all levels of the game,” O’Reilly said, “and seeing college football and the partnership they have in Dublin over these recent years, that’s a good thing overall.”
Steelers founders and current owners the Rooney family have deep roots in Ireland. Members of the Rooney clan left County Down for the U.S. in the 1800’s. Daniel Rooney served as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland 2009-12. Daniel Martin Rooney (son of Steelers president Art Rooney II) spoke on his heritage saying, “growing up around my grandfather, and my father, one of the lessons they have always taught us is our strong connection to Ireland, and how meaningful Ireland is to the family. This is truly a dream come true for our franchise.”