The NFL has announced it will play a regular-season game in Ireland for the first time in 2025, with Croke Park set to host the latest addition to its international schedule.

Commissioner Roger Goodell revealed last November that a game in Ireland was a “possibility” in 2025, with the NFL confirming its international schedule for next season on Friday and revealing the Pittsburgh Steelers as the designated team for September’s Ireland debut.

Dublin has hosted multiple college football games over the last decade at the Aviva Stadium, but Croke Park – which hosted a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears in 1997 – will be the NFL’s latest international venue.

“We are very excited to be the designated team in the first regular-season game to be played in Ireland this upcoming season,” said Steelers’ President Art Rooney II.

“The opportunity for the Pittsburgh Steelers to play in Ireland is truly special, not only because of the Rooney family history there, but also to play in front of the growing number of Steelers fans in Ireland. We are thrilled to be part of this historic event to represent Pittsburgh in a game that brings the NFL to the great sports fans in Ireland.”

Ireland addition continues NFL’s overseas growth

The NFL has been hosting matches in the UK since the Miami Dolphins faced the New York Giants at Wembley Stadium in October 2007, with one game a year held in London until 2012 before increasing to two matches for the 2013 season.

At least three a year have been played in London since 2014, with Twickenham Stadium hosting fixtures in both 2016 and 2017 ahead of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium being awarded two matches a season from 2019.

The International Series has since expanded to Mexico, Germany and Brazil, while Madrid in Spain will join Ireland in hosting a match for the first time in 2025 and Australia will be included from the 2026 season onwards.

“We are delighted to officially bring a regular-season NFL game to Ireland as part of our 2025 international games slate,” said executive vice-president international, league events and club business at the NFL Peter O’Reilly.

“Both the NFL and the Steelers franchise have deep roots and history in Ireland, and we’re looking forward to making our regular-season debut in Dublin, bringing our game to a large and passionate Irish fanbase and underlining the NFL’s commitment to global growth.”

Croke Park is the home of the GAA and hosts the Gaelic football and hurling All-Ireland finals every year. In 2003 it also held the Special Olympics opening and closing ceremonies and in 1996 it staged the college football game between Notre Dame and the Navy. In addition to its sporting heritage, the venue has welcomed global music icons including U2, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay and Taylor Swift.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome the NFL and the Pittsburgh Steelers to Croke Park,” said GAA president Jarlath Burns.

“This event will not only highlight our stadium’s world-class facilities but also reinforce the connections and love of sport shared between our communities. Croke Park is a proud symbol of Ireland’s rich sporting heritage, and hosting one of the world’s best sporting organisations is a momentous occasion for the entire country. It will be a special and unique event, celebrating the passion uniting two great sporting codes in the heart of Dublin.”

Who already have international matches confirmed in 2025?

The New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars have been confirmed as the designated home teams for the 2025 NFL London games.

The Jets will play in the UK for the second successive year and for the fourth time overall after suffering a 23-17 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last October.

Cleveland return for their second London game in franchise history after losing 33-16 to the Vikings at Twickenham back in 2017, while the Jags will visit the capital for a league-leading 14th time after playing back-to-back games overseas for two years running.

Miami Dolphins are the designated team for the Madrid game at the Bernabeu Stadium, with the Indianapolis Colts featuring in Germany – the first-ever NFL game held in Berlin.

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