NFL announce historic Dublin fixture between Vikings and Steelers

May 13, 2025

The NFL will be coming to Ireland as Croke Park prepares to host a regular season game for the first time.

Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers will head to Dublin on September 28 which is expected to provide an extensive tourism boost.

London will host three games, including one at Wembley and two at Tottenham Hotspur’s Stadium. The NFL will also be heading to Brazil, Berlin and Spain as they continue to expand their international audience.

The Steelers have actually ventured to Dublin before, back in 1997 when they faced Chicago Bears in a preseason game. It is the first time in 12 years both sides will head abroad for a fixture.

Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf has spoken of his excitement about heading to Ireland. He said: “Playing in Ireland’s first-ever NFL game is an opportunity to introduce new fans to the Minnesota Vikings and help the league continue to make the game of football more accessible globally.

“To do so against a storied franchise like the Pittsburgh Steelers adds a unique challenge that makes this even more special.

“We are honoured to be selected for this historic game and will be anxious to see what promises to be an electric gameday environment in Croke Park.”

NFL UK & Ireland General Manager Henry Hodgson said to Sky Sports: “We know and we have seen there are a growing number of fans in Ireland.

“We have a team in the Pittsburgh Steelers who are owned by the Rooney family and have an incredible heritage in Ireland, and saw the opportunity for them to bring their team back to Ireland.

“So those two things, plus support from the Irish government, from Croke Park and Dublin city council, led us to the point where we can play a game here.

“This city (Dublin) is made for a host city to hold major sporting events. It’s compact enough that when people arrive here, they really feel that they’ve taken over the city.”

The games in London and Ireland take place across four consecutive weekends with Minnesota Vikings going back-to-back by taking on Cleveland Browns on October 5.

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