On Friday the 7th February after much hype and build-up over the years, it was announced that Ireland will have its first NFL game next August.
This news came from the NFL and Ministers Patrick O’Donovan and Charlie McConalogue and instated Dublin as the newest destination for the NFLs international games,which have been a proven success in London and Berlin. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who have a large Irish fan base, will be playing in Croke Park next season. It will be the first regular season game to be played in Ireland. The opposition and exact date has not yet been confirmed but is expected to be announced in mid-May upon the release of the NFL schedule. Due to this being a home game for the Steelers, the opposition can be narrowed down to the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks.
The Steelers have had a long and storied connection with Ireland. Steelers President Art Rooney said in an official announcement about the game that “The opportunity for the Pittsburgh Steelers to play in Ireland is truly special, not only because of the Rooney family history there, but also to play in front of the growing number of Steelers fans in Ireland. We are thrilled to be part of this historic event to represent Pittsburgh in a game that brings the NFL to the great sports fans in Ireland.” The Rooney family emigrated from Ireland in the 1840s and Art Rooney’s grandfather Dan Rooney founded the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1933. Art Rooney’s father Daniel M. Rooney was US ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to 2012 and set up the Ireland funds.
This announcement has been expected for some time now; the Steelers broke into the Irish market last year after being awarded rights to expand team activities across the country and have also recently announced a partnership with Aer Lingus.
Croke Park and the Aviva have regularly hosted college football games with one college football game held in Ireland every year for the last three years. This will be continued in 2025 with K-state due to play Iowa in August.
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