Ireland and the NFL: Back for a landmark Dublin encounter

As the NFL presses on with its ambitious drive to expand internationally, few countries encapsulate the league’s global progress quite like Ireland. This Sunday, 28 September 2025, represents a pivotal moment as the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Minnesota Vikings at Dublin’s iconic Croke Park – the first regular-season NFL game on Irish soil.

For a nation rich in sporting traditions, from Gaelic football to rugby, American football has embedded itself in the cultural landscape, driven by longstanding connections, enthusiastic supporters, and a stream of rising talent.

A rich heritage for American football

Ireland’s links to American football extend far beyond shamrocks and stout. Key figures in the sport’s early development had Irish roots: Joseph Carr, NFL president from 1921 to 1939 and instrumental in the league’s formative years, was the son of Irish immigrant Michael Karr, who emigrated to the US in the 1860s. Legends such as Tom Brady (half-Irish through ancestors from County Cavan), Joe Montana, Colin Kaepernick, and Pete Carroll all celebrate their Irish ancestry, highlighting this enduring transatlantic bond.

Locally, American football first appeared in Ireland during the 1940s, introduced by US military personnel. By 1983, the inaugural unofficial match was played in Banbridge, paving the way for the establishment of the Irish American Football Association in 1984. Pioneering teams like the Dublin Celts, Craigavon Cowboys, and Belfast Blitzers competed in the Irish American Football League, establishing grassroots foundations that have evolved into a thriving community.

The Steelers, appropriately, are familiar with this story. Founded by Art Rooney Sr, son of immigrants from Newry, the franchise visited Croke Park in 1997 for a pre-season clash against the Chicago Bears as part of the NFL’s American Bowl series. Dan Rooney, Art’s son and a Steelers icon, was key to that event before his tenure as US Ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to 2012. His enduring influence includes six Super Bowl victories, eight AFC titles, and the Rooney Rule, which promotes diversity in coaching and management hires. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has expressed this connection, emphasising the honour of showcasing the game on a global stage and commemorating Rooney’s legacy.

Ireland’s enthusiasm is not merely historical – it is vibrant. With an estimated 350,000 fans engaging with the NFL, the country has demonstrated its suitability as a host. Croke Park, the 82,000-capacity stronghold of Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) sports since 1891, once opposed hosting non-GAA events but now welcomes this fusion. As New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth – a former Gaelic football goalkeeper – remarked, “Whenever we play Gaelic football growing up we dream of playing at Croke Park… There’s no better spot, it’s just unreal.”

Continuing the College Football momentum in Dublin

Ireland’s adoption of American football owes much to the annual Aer Lingus College Football Classic, previously known as the Emerald Isle Classic. Since Boston College triumphed over Army in 1988, 11 games have attracted average attendances of over 40,000. This series has acted as a proving ground for the NFL, illustrating Ireland’s capacity to embrace the spectacle, tailgating, and communal energy of gridiron culture.

In recent years, the event has gained even greater prominence in Dublin. The 2025 edition, held at the Aviva Stadium in August, saw Iowa State defeat Kansas State in front of 47,221 spectators – the highest attendance in the series’ history. This match not only heightened anticipation for the NFL’s arrival but also showcased contemporary developments, including enhanced fan zones, live broadcasts, and integration with local GAA events.

The Classic has spotlighted Irish talent too, such as NFL Academy graduate Andy Quinn, crowned Ireland’s “Kicking King” after a 2022 field goal contest and now playing for Boston College. These games bridge collegiate and professional realms, aligning with the NFL’s worldwide goals and fostering a sustainable pathway for the sport in Ireland.

Driving NFL expansion: Grassroots efforts, talent pathways, and a global outlook

The NFL’s Global Markets Programme granted the Steelers marketing rights in Ireland in 2023, spurring activities like watch parties at Croke Park, a dedicated Steelers Ireland podcast, and free pre-season streams on GAA platforms. This integrates into the league’s wider vision: seven international fixtures in 2025, spanning London, Munich, and now Dublin.

On the grassroots front, the NFL’s Flag schools initiative collaborates with Sport Ireland and American Football Ireland to supply flag football kits and educational resources to over 900 post-primary schools for pupils aged 12-16. This non-contact format seeks to cultivate lasting participation, echoing successful schemes in the UK and Germany.

Ireland’s most compelling offering may be its kicking revolution. The athletic requirements of Gaelic football – accuracy, strength, and agility – transfer readily to NFL specialists. Tadhg Leader’s Leader Kicking agency, partnering with the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP), has produced standouts like Smyth (Saints), Jude McAtamney (Giants), Mark McNamee (Packers), and Dan Whelan (Packers), the first Irish-born player since 1985 to appear in NFL play-offs. Ross Bolger excels in the CFL, with more prospects emerging yearly. As NFL UK General Manager Henry Hodgson observed, “It’s a testament to… the pathway for Irish kickers.”

Ireland’s diverse contributions – devoted support, historical bonds, facilities, and talent export – establish it as a force in the NFL’s pursuit of international supremacy. The league’s “NFL to the World” philosophy finds an ideal partner here, merging heritage with forward-thinking approaches.

Match Prediction: Vikings to Edge Steelers in a Tense Defensive Battle

Approaching Week 4, both sides stand at 2-1, but the Vikings hold a slight advantage. Minnesota’s attack averages 27 points per game, spearheaded by a revitalised passing unit, while their defence concedes just 18.7 points, and was unbelievably against the Bengals. The Steelers score 24 points but allow 25.7, suggesting potential weaknesses. Betting odds favour the Vikings by 2.5 points with a total of 41.5, reflecting Minnesota’s drive from a robust 2024 (14-3 record) and current form.

Anticipate a hard-fought, low-scoring contest amid the Dublin fervour – Vikings 24, Steelers 20, with Minnesota’s defence forcing crucial turnovers to clinch victory. This historic encounter is more than a match; it celebrates Ireland’s lasting imprint on American football.