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February 07, 2025
Croke Park Stadium: The NFL has revealed that Ireland will host its first regular-season game. The match will be played at Dublin's Croke Park Stadium in the 2025 season.
The home team is the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the identity of their opponent is yet to be revealed.
Steelers' Deep Connection to Ireland
The Steelers' owner, the Rooney family, comes from Irish ancestry.
Dan Rooney, former Steelers chairman and U.S. Ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to 2012, played a key role in strengthening ties between the NFL and Ireland.
He was also a co-founder of the charity Ireland Funds.
Dan Rooney, the Steelers’ director of business development, shared his excitement.
“The Terrible Towels are definitely coming with us to Croke Park,” he said.
“We’re beyond excited for our fans to witness this game in what we proudly call our motherland, thanks to the Rooneys.”
Art Rooney II, president of the Steelers, also shared his excitement.
"It is really unique to play in Ireland. Not only because of our family's history, but also due to our growing fan base there," he said. "We are happy to be part of this historic event."
The last time the Steelers visited Ireland for a preseason game was in 1997.
In that game, they played the Chicago Bears. They will now play again in the regular season.
Croke Park: A Legendary Venue
The biggest sports center in Ireland, Croke Park Stadium, will host the match.
The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) is based there. More than 82,000 people can fit at the stadium.
The event was presented by Peter O'Reilly, Executive Vice President of International, League Events, and Club Business for the NFL.
"The NFL and the Steelers have deep connections to Ireland," he said.
"We can't wait to visit Dublin for our regular-season start. This match highlights our dedication to promoting the sport around the world.
College Football’s Success Inspired the NFL
The NFL's choice was impacted by the popularity of college football in Ireland.
Georgia Tech and Florida State met in Dublin in 2023. The event was a huge success.
"College football’s success in Dublin played a role in our decision," O'Reilly said. "It is clear how passionate Irish football fans are.
The Notre Dame-Navy game is one example of how memorable an NFL game will be here.
Steelers' International Experience
The Steelers have played internationally before. They faced the Minnesota Vikings in London in 2013.
At Croke Park Stadium, they are now ready to create history once more.
The NFL is now present in Germany, Mexico City, and London. Ireland is now on the list.
This historic NFL game at Croke Park Stadium is expected to be a massive success, drawing passionate fans from Dublin and beyond.
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