by The NFL game in Ireland has captured the imagination of fans on both sides of the Atlantic for decades. While the NFL has long been popular in the United States, the league’s efforts to grow internationally have brought American football to new audiences, and Ireland has emerged as a potential hub for this expansion. For many years, Ireland only hosted preseason exhibition games, giving fans a taste of live NFL action, but never a regular-season matchup.
With the launch of the NFL International Series and the league’s increasing commitment to staging games overseas, Dublin is now on the verge of hosting its first official regular-season contest. Croke Park, one of Europe’s largest stadiums, has been identified as the ideal venue, offering ample capacity and world-class facilities. Fans, local communities, and sports organizations alike are preparing for this historic milestone, marking a new era of American football in Ireland. The anticipation for an official NFL game in Ireland has never been higher.
What constitutes an “NFL game in Ireland”
When people ask “Has the NFL ever played in Ireland?”, they often mean different things:
- A preseason or exhibition game held in Ireland
- A regular-season NFL game in Ireland (which counts fully toward standings)
- International Series games elsewhere for comparison
So when we talk about an NFL game in Ireland, there’s a distinction between past exhibitions and upcoming regular-season milestones.
Early NFL / American Football in Ireland: Exhibition Matches
The first time the NFL (or NFL-affiliated) teams played in Ireland was not a regular-season game. Instead, it was part of the American Bowl / preseason series.
- In 1997, the Chicago Bears played the Pittsburgh Steelers in a preseason exhibition game at Croke Park, Dublin as part of the American Bowl series. This was an NFL game in Ireland of a sort—though not one that counted toward the official season.
- Before that, and since, there have been no regular-season NFL games in Ireland until recent announcements. So throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Ireland had experience with exhibitions and college-level matches, but no official NFL game in Ireland as part of the league schedule.
The NFL International Series: A Broader Context
To understand how an NFL game in Ireland fits into the bigger picture, let’s look at the NFL’s International Series:
- The International Series began in 2007, when the New York Giants faced the Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium in London. That was the first regular-season NFL game played outside the U.S.
- Since 2007, many games have been played regularly in the UK (London), Mexico City, Germany, Brazil, and (upcoming) Spain.
- These games have served both to test new markets and to extend the NFL’s reach beyond its traditional borders. They also show what is possible for countries like Ireland.
First Regular-Season NFL Game in Ireland
As of early 2025, the NFL has made a historic announcement: the first regular-season NFL game in Ireland will be played in Dublin at Croke Park in the 2025 season.
Key facts:
- The Pittsburgh Steelers are the designated team for this historic event.
- Croke Park, the large stadium in Dublin (headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association), will be the venue.
- This will mark the first time a regular-season NFL game in Ireland counts toward league standings. That’s a step up from exhibitions.
- The NFL has long hinted at playing in Ireland: Commissioner Roger Goodell has said there is “no doubt” a regular-season game would happen in Ireland.
Why Ireland, Why Now?
Several factors have aligned to make an NFL game in Ireland more feasible:
- Deep historical and cultural connections – Some NFL franchises have ties to Ireland. The Steelers’ ownership (Rooney family) traces back to Ireland, which makes them a natural fit.
- Strong stadium infrastructure – Croke Park is large and well-equipped to host big events.
- Growing fan interest – Increasing participation in American football in Ireland, plus fan demand for live games.
- NFL policy toward international expansion – The league is planning for up to eight regular-season international games in some upcoming seasons. Ireland is part of that strategy.
Comparison: Ireland vs Other International NFL Locations
To understand how rare an NFL game in Ireland is, compare to what’s already happened elsewhere:
- United Kingdom: Regular-season games have been happening every year since 2007 in London, with increasing frequency. Multiple stadiums (Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Twickenham) host these games.
- Mexico City: Has hosted regular-season games (e.g. at Estadio Azteca) already.
- Germany: Also part of the NFL International Series, with games in Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt.
- Brazil, Spain: Are newer additions. Spain (Madrid) is set to host its first regular-season NFL game in 2025.
So the upcoming regular-season NFL game in Ireland will join this list as one of the newest international venues.
What This Means: Impacts & Challenges
An NFL game in Ireland isn’t just a one-off novelty; it has real implications and logistical challenges:
Impacts
- Local economy boost: tourism, hospitality, media interest in Dublin.
- Growing the sport: more awareness for American football in Ireland, more youth participation (e.g. NFL Flag in Ireland).
- Strategic growth: allows the NFL to leverage cultural ties, global branding, and new fan markets.
Challenges
- Logistics: travel, scheduling, ensuring that international games don’t overly burden teams with long trips.
- Stadium conversion: modifying fields, seating, broadcast setups to NFL standards. Croke Park has hosted exhibitions before, but regular season brings greater requirements.
- Fan experience: ensuring ticket pricing, transport, local access, etc., work well.
Timeline of NFL in Ireland
Here’s a timeline of key events for the NFL game in Ireland sphere:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Preseason NFL game (American Bowl): Chicago Bears vs Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park. Exhibition match. |
| 2010s-2020s | Growing speculation and statements by NFL leadership about Ireland as a site for regular-season international games. |
| 2024 | NFL officially signals interest in a regular-season NFL game in Ireland as part of the 2025 slate. |
| 2025 | First regular-season NFL game in Ireland scheduled: Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park in Dublin. |
The 2025 Dublin Game: Details & What We Know So Far
As the first regular-season NFL game in Ireland, some details are confirmed, others still TBD:
- Home team: Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Venue: Croke Park, Dublin.
- Date: During the 2025 NFL season; specific date and opponent to be announced.
- Supporting programs: NFL Flag launched in Ireland in 2024, showing grassroots development.
- Other international games: Alongside Ireland, NFL has new venues like Madrid and Berlin set for 2025, and Australia coming in 2026.
What Remains to Be Confirmed & What to Watch
Some things about the first regular-season NFL game in Ireland are still being finalized:
- Who the opponent will be for Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin.
- Exact date, kickoff time, ticketing details.
- Broadcast arrangements: how fans in Ireland and internationally will watch.
- Local infrastructure like transport, stadium amenities, and how Croke Park will adapt.
Also, how many more NFL games in Ireland will follow? Will this become a regular fixture in the International Series? The NFL’s plan for multiple international games per season suggests yes.
Why This Moment Is Historic
This upcoming NFL game in Ireland is historic for multiple reasons:
- It’s the first regular-season NFL game in Ireland that counts toward standings.
- It reflects long-standing ambitions by both the NFL and local Irish entities to bring American football closer to the fans in Ireland.
- It’s a milestone in the NFL’s international expansion strategy, showing how far the league has come since its first International Series game in 2007.
What This Means for Fans in Ireland & Beyond
For fans in Ireland:
- A chance to attend an NFL game live without traveling to the U.S.
- Boost in visibility for American football locally: youth leagues, flag football, media coverage.
- Economic and cultural benefits: tourism, local businesses around Dublin stand to benefit.
For NFL fans globally:
- More options for international travel and to see their teams in different settings.
- Expanded international schedule means greater interest in some non-traditional markets.
Final Thoughts
So, has the NFL ever played in Ireland? Yes—but until 2025, only in the form of exhibition matches. What’s coming in 2025 changes that: the first regular-season NFL game in Ireland is on the schedule, with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ matchup at Croke Park marking a new chapter.
As the International Series continues to spread the game globally—with major games in London, Mexico City, Germany, Brazil, Spain, and soon Australia—this Ireland game is more than symbolic. It’s a nearly full circle moment: showing that the NFL isn’t just touring abroad, but embedding its regular competitive season in new homes.
If you’re an American football enthusiast or an Irish sports fan—or both—2025 will be a year to watch. The first official NFL game in Ireland is coming, and it promises to be a landmark occasion.
