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The NFL has been trying to play games in different countries for a long time. Right now, they have games in places like London, Mexico, Germany, and Brazil. It makes sense that they might want to play in Ireland soon.
It’s only a matter of time before the NFL heads to Ireland.
College football has already had some success with its Week 0 games in Dublin. Dan Rooney from the Pittsburgh Steelers talked about wanting his team to play there soon. Back in 1997, the Steelers played an exhibition game against the Chicago Bears at Croke Park in Dublin. So, Dublin better get ready!
While returning to Croke Park would be nostalgic for the Steelers, Aviva Stadium is more modern and could be a better fit. “It’s been a goal from the start, being able to pursue an opportunity to play a live game in front of the Irish fans. We are working with the NFL on that and we’re looking forward to seeing what’s coming,” said Rooney.
Rooney is waiting patiently for the league’s decision on playing games in Ireland.
“We’re awaiting some of their findings and we have told them we would love to get to the island to play a game someday,” Rooney added. “It’s an exciting future ahead.”
If the NFL wants to expand internationally, the Steelers are a great choice for Ireland.
Even though Roger Goodell dreams of having teams based in Europe, he knows they need to be careful about where they choose. The UK and Germany have shown they can support these games well. Mexico has had mixed results but mostly positive experiences.
Ireland seems like a safe bet for regular NFL games because they already love college football there. They make those Week 0 games a big deal in Dublin and do it well. So why not try an NFL regular-season game?
Ultimately, Goodell will likely focus on keeping strong ties with the UK while building good relationships in Germany. Mexico is easier because it’s closer in time zones to the U.S. The challenge with Ireland might be its smaller market size, but Dublin seems perfect for hosting such events.
Give it time, but expect to see the Steelers playing in Dublin soon.
