NFL Dublin: A Historic New Chapter for Irish Sport

Vikings vs. Steelers – Croke Park, Dublin

Sunday, 28 September | Kick-off: 14:00 BST

Coverage: Live text commentary from 13:00 on BBC Sport website & app

When NFL broadcaster Michael McQuaid stood in New Orleans for last season’s Super Bowl, the roar of America’s biggest sporting event was already electric. But when the announcement came that the NFL was officially returning to Dublin, the atmosphere went from electric to unforgettable.

“The way it was revealed, right in the middle of Super Bowl week, was surreal,” said McQuaid, host of the Irish Steelers Podcast. “Seeing the reaction in Ireland and across the U.S.—that’s when it really hit me. People on this island had achieved something they’d dreamed about for so long.”

This Sunday, Dublin makes history. The Irish capital will join London, Frankfurt, and Munich as only the fourth European city to host a regular-season NFL game, with the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the Minnesota Vikings at the legendary Croke Park.

“Dublin now stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the world’s greatest sporting cities,” McQuaid said. “This is a brand-new chapter for Ireland’s rich sporting story.”

Steelers: Coming Home to Irish Roots

Few NFL franchises boast the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers. With six Super Bowl titles—a joint record with the New England Patriots—the Steelers are one of America’s true sporting dynasties. But their story also begins in Ireland.

Founded in 1933 by Art Rooney, the team has remained in the hands of the Rooney family, whose ancestors left Newry, Northern Ireland, in the 1840s. The connection has always been strong: in 1997, the family pushed for a pre-season clash in Dublin, drawing over 25,000 fans to Croke Park.

Fast forward to today, and the NFL estimates 350,000 fans now follow the sport across Ireland. With the Steelers awarded exclusive marketing rights in 2023, a Dublin showdown was inevitable.

“This is the American Dream in action,” McQuaid reflected. “A family leaves Ireland nearly 200 years ago, builds an empire in North America, and returns as one of the most successful franchises in sports. To bring it all back to Croke Park—it’s nothing short of remarkable.”

Dublin Turns Into an NFL Festival

The Steelers haven’t come alone. Over the past two years, they’ve hosted watch parties, football clinics, and fan meet-ups to fuel Irish excitement. And this week, Dublin itself will transform into an NFL carnival.

From Thursday, fan events will light up Dublin Castle and City Hall, while Merrion Square becomes a three-day tailgate village, ending with a massive watch party on Sunday for those without tickets. More than 30,000 international visitors are expected, alongside thousands of Irish fans eager to soak in the spectacle.

“It’s like a mini Super Bowl has landed in town,” said NFL pundit Phoebe Schecter. “Fans show up in jerseys from all 32 teams. It’s loud, it’s colorful, and it’s pure celebration. The Steelers know how to do it big.”

NFL UK & Ireland GM Henry Hodgson added: “If you’ve ever been to a sporting event in Dublin, you know the city doesn’t just host it—it owns it. By this weekend, you won’t be able to walk through Temple Bar without seeing an NFL jersey.”

It’s not just about the Steelers and Vikings. The Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers are also hosting fan events and pub takeovers, with the Chiefs openly expressing interest in playing in Ireland in the future.

While there’s no guarantee of an annual return, if Sunday lives up to the hype, Dublin could soon follow London’s lead as a regular NFL stop.

The Terrible Towels Take Over Dublin

The Steelers are also bringing one of their most iconic traditions across the Atlantic: the Terrible Towel. First waved during the team’s 1976 Super Bowl run, these yellow rally towels are a cornerstone of Pittsburgh fandom.

For Dublin, the team has created a special edition in the Irish tricolour, a collector’s item already generating buzz. Former Steelers star Max Starks has been handing them out across Ireland, even bumping into Steelers fans from as far away as Mexico.

“They’re iconic in Pittsburgh,” said McQuaid. “When 76,000 fans wave them at Croke Park—especially at the start of the fourth quarter—it’s going to be a sight that Irish sport will never forget.”

A Sporting Milestone for Ireland

For Ireland, Sunday’s clash isn’t just about touchdowns and tackles. It’s about joining the global stage of elite sports entertainment and welcoming back a team with deep Irish roots.

The NFL in Dublin is more than a game—it’s history in the making.