The first NFL regular season game will take place in Dublin, Ireland. The Pittsburgh Steelers are the designated home team for the game. It will take place at Croke Park, where the black and gold will transform the stadium. Fan events will take place, and Steelers legends will be around to engage with fans. The Steelers have played in Ireland once before, but it was back in 1997 against the Chicago Bears.
Steelers in Dublin, Ireland
Steelers President Art Rooney II and his family have a rich history with Ireland, as their ancestors emigrated from there, and his father served as U.S. ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to 2012.
In 2023, the team got the rights to expand its activities in Ireland. Since then, it has created in-market partnerships and hosted activities like watch parties to raise awareness of American football. This is all part of the NFL’s efforts to establish a global footprint. Rooney says the team is thrilled to play in Ireland and give fans a real gameday experience. The Steelers are one of the most successful teams in NFL history and have won six Super Bowl titles.
Steelers’ fans are likely to be betting online in Pennsylvania on this game, which is one of seven international games in the 2025 season.
Who will the Steelers play?
The Pittsburgh Steelers will play against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 28. In an international game in London in 2013, the Steelers played as the visiting team against the Vikings. This will be the first time the Vikings play in Ireland. The countdown is on, and excitement is building for the first regular season fixture of the current NFL season. The Steelers signed veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers before the new season. The star attraction for the Vikings could be wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Tickets
Tickets have recently gone on sale for the game, and to buy them, you need to create an NFL ticket account. You can purchase a maximum of four tickets per account. Various hotel and ticket packages are available. Limited packages that include tickets and access to the official pregame party are still available via On Location.
Dates to remember
A Steelers Pro Shop will open in Dublin on Sept 4, and Irish fans will be able to stock up on Steelers gear. The store will be operated by National Merchandise and will be open for the whole NFL season.
A Terrible Towels tour will take place from Sept. 22 to 24. Max Starks will travel around Ireland in a van branded with the Steelers’ colors and give out Terrible Towels. This is an opportunity to connect with and rally fans before the game. Fans can follow the tour on the Steelers’ social media.
From Sept. 26 to 28, Dublin’s world-famous pub, Fitzsimons Temple Bar, will become the Steelers Pub and headquarters. It will become a hub of Steelers culture with live contests, giveaways, and more.
Iconic Merrion Square will host a three-day tailgate event from Sept. 26 to 28. It will be packed with entertainment and fan activities. On Sunday, there will be a watch party for those who aren’t attending the game with Steelers-themed food and drinks for sale. It will be presented by Aer Lingus, supported by UPMC and Heinz, and registration is free, but fans must RSVP to attend.
Flights
Earlier this year, the Steelers formed a partnership with Aer Lingus, and it will fly the team to Dublin. Fans from around the world are likely to fly to Dublin to enjoy what will be a week-long experience building up to the game. The airline will offer convenient travel options for fans with 21 direct routes from North America to Ireland and 70 routes from Europe and the U.K. to Dublin.
Tune in to the game
When looking at NFL viewership by year, it is recording its highest TV ratings in years. The NFL’s innovative broadcasting strategy includes more digital offerings and partnerships with streaming services, so it is reaching broader audiences.
Fans in the U.S. who can’t attend the game can watch it via the NFL Network at 9.30 am EDT. Local fans in Pittsburgh can watch on WTAE Channel 4.
