This post was originally published on this site
During the upcoming 2025 NFL regular season, the Pittsburgh Steelers will once again travel internationally to play. Formerly, they were a part of the NFL’s ‘American Bowl’ series, but this upcoming season the historic first NFL game at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland is a continuation of the Rooney family’s legacy as well an expansion of team and league recognition beyond the borders of the United States to the Emerald Isle.
The American Bowl series
The American Bowl was a series of National Football League pre-season exhibition games that were held at sites outside the United States between 1986 and 2005. Although international games had been held prior to the American Bowl series, the NFL adopted a policy of at least one overseas game per year.
Famed Wembley Stadium in London was a favored site, drawing large international crowds and interest. The league then expanded its reach beyond the NFL Europe League’s start in 1991.
The American Bowl was a fifth pre-season game, played the same weekend as the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, and did not take away a game from the participating teams’ pre-season schedules. In 1997, Ireland hosted the Steelers and Chicago Bears at Croke Park, but it was purely exhibition. The Steelers and Kordell Stewart outgunned Rick Mirer and the Bears, 30-17.
NFL’s first regular-season game in Ireland at Croke Park
The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to make history on September 28, 2025, when they face the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Ireland. Played at Croke Park, a move that holds both symbolic and strategic importance for the franchise – particularly for the Rooney family, whose Irish heritage runs deep.
Steelers president, Art Rooney II, has been a driving force behind bringing the NFL to Ireland. As the son of the late Dan Rooney – former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland and longtime Steelers chairman – Art is committed to honoring and expanding upon his family’s legacy.
The Rooney family’s roots trace back to County Down on the paternal side and County Mayo on the maternal side. This strong ancestral connection to Ireland has inspired the family’s decades-long effort to grow the Steelers’ presence there.
Dan Rooney’s tenure as ambassador (2009–2012) not only strengthened U.S. – Ireland relations but also deepened the Steelers’ cultural footprint in the region. Art Rooney II has carried that legacy forward, describing the upcoming game as “the next logical step” in their long-standing relationship with Ireland.
Week 4 in The Emerald Isle
#NFLDublinGame |
: https://t.co/KLvpnggEad pic.twitter.com/UVS1OU2vFu
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 13, 2025
Strengthening the Steelers’ & NFL’s international reach
The 2025 game in Dublin is part of the NFL’s broader international expansion strategy, which includes games in London, Germany, Brazil, and Spain. For the Steelers, this game is more than a marketing opportunity – it’s a mission grounded in heritage and long-term fan engagement.
.@CoachTomlin on why playing in the #NFLDUBLINGame is significant for the Steelers pic.twitter.com/WJBwOerArU
— Steelers Ireland (@SteelersIreland) May 13, 2025
In recent years, the Steelers have made concerted efforts to engage Irish fans. These include:
- Partnership with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA): Hosting football clinics and community events in Ireland.
- International streaming: Broadcasting Steelers preseason games on GAA’s streaming platform to Irish audiences.
- Local fan outreach: Hosting Steelers watch parties and merchandise pop-ups across Ireland, including a 2025 NFL Draft party.
Check out the highlights from our first-ever Draft Party in Ireland @CrokePark with @bkeisel99
— Steelers Ireland (@SteelersIreland) April 27, 2025
“The hosting of this major event presents a wonderful opportunity to deliver on our commitment to strengthen our political, cultural, economic and trade relationship with the U.S. at all levels,” said Minister of State with Responsibility for Sport Charlie McConalogue, TD, regarding the upcoming NFL regular season game.
“I look forward to welcoming thousands of American Football fans from America and further afield to our shores for what I am sure will be a fantastic sporting spectacle and one that will be of great benefit to Ireland.”
Croke Park: A Symbolic Venue
Croke Park, Ireland’s largest sports stadium and the heart of Gaelic games, is a deeply symbolic choice. Hosting an NFL game there not only emphasizes the significance of American football’s global growth but also pays tribute to Ireland’s rich sporting culture.
The Steelers’ collaboration with the GAA is instrumental in bridging American and Irish sports traditions.
Croke Park, previously the site of the 1996 Notre Dame vs. Navy game in addition to the American Bowl, has long been considered a potential NFL venue and 2025 will finally mark its debut on the league’s international calendar.
As the NFL continues to globalize its reach, the Steelers are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in Ireland. Their deep-rooted connection to the country, combined with a strong commitment to international fan development, makes them the ideal franchise to pioneer the league’s presence on the Emerald Isle.
Rooneys, Steelers go from ‘American Bowl’ to historic Dublin game appeared first on Steel City Underground.