The National Football League announced on February 7th that it will play its first-ever regular-season game in Dublin, Ireland in 2025. The game will be held at Croke Park, the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and the biggest sports venue in Ireland with a capacity of 82,300 people.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Pittsburgh Steelers have already been designated as the home team in the game. The Steelers’ opponent has not yet been determined, but the Green Bay Packers are reportedly being considered as the other team that will play in Ireland, according to a source who spoke to Sports Illustrated’s Noah Strackbein.
The Pittsburgh Steelers actually have a connection to Ireland. Team president Art Rooney II has family in Newry. Also, his father, Dan M. Rooney, served as the U.S. ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to 2012.
“We are very excited to be the designated team in the first regular-season game to be played in Ireland this upcoming season,” said Art Rooney II. “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.”
This will be the second time ever that the NFL has played a game in Ireland. The first instance came in 1997 when the Pittsburgh Steelers faced off with the Chicago Bears in a preseason matchup held at Croke Park. The Steelers defeated the Bears 30-17, though the result didn’t count toward either team’s regular-season record.
