Pittsburgh Review

In 1997, the Pittsburgh Steelers played against the Chicago Bears in a preseason game at Dublin's Croke Park, marking the NFL's first game on Irish soil. Now, in the 2025 season, the Steelers will host another historic event as they participate in the NFL's first regular-season game in Ireland.

The Steelers were founded in 1933 by Arthur J. Rooney, a descendant of Irish immigrants from Newry, County Down. The team has maintained strong ties to its Irish heritage over the years. Former team president Dan Rooney served as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to 2012 and co-founded the Ireland Funds charity.

"The Steelers are excited and honored to play in the NFL's first-ever regular season game in Ireland," said Daniel Rooney, Director of Business Development & Strategy for the Steelers. He emphasized the deep connections between his family and Ireland, noting that his great-grandfather founded the franchise after immigrating from Ireland.

Hosting this game is expected to strengthen these ties further. Since being granted rights to Ireland through the NFL's Global Market Program in 2023, the Steelers have organized events across Ireland, including watch parties and youth football camps.

Daniel Rooney expressed high expectations for fan turnout: "We have the same expectation that we have for all of our games, where black and gold shows up in a big way." He anticipates that many fans will travel to Croke Park for this international event.

While details about their opponent remain undecided until May when the league finalizes its schedule, Peter O'Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President of Club Business and League Events, noted significant interest from various teams: "This is a big first in a market that a lot of people are excited about."

The NFL aims to expand its global reach with international games planned for London, Berlin, and Madrid during the 2025 season. The league also launched an official youth flag football program in Ireland last year.

Henry Hodgson, General Manager of NFL UK and Ireland, highlighted collaborations with local organizations: "They've helped us uncover some of the other people that were really engaged around this opportunity." He praised support from entities like Dublin City Council and Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).

Dan Rooney's grandson reflected on his grandfather’s legacy: "When he was Ambassador to Ireland...he made sure to flip [a July Fourth baseball game] into a flag football game." This upcoming event continues efforts initiated by Dan Rooney during his ambassadorship.

The anticipated match at Croke Park aligns with Dublin’s capability for hosting large-scale events such as an NFL regular-season game—a testament both leagues' commitment towards expanding American football globally while honoring historical connections between Pittsburgh’s beloved team and its ancestral homeland.