Steelers Playing In Ireland 2025

Told you so


The NFL is slated to have up to eight international games for the 2025 season, and one of those is expected to be in Ireland for the first time. The league also has one of the teams set to play there.

Per the Irish Examiner, the Pittsburgh Steelers would be one of teams playing at Croke Park (the stadium the Ireland game would be played in).

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...play-in-first-game-in-ireland-per-report/amp/

 

Cool

 

I’ve been rooting for the Steelers to play in Ireland for years and now if they do there is a good chance I can’t go

I’ve already booked trips covering 3 Sunday's in September and 3 in October

 

I just might have found my 2025 trip.

 

Cannot say I am surprised personally. Why?!


Which other NFL Team would have as many connections to Ireland as the Steelers?! If I recall, Dan Rooney was the ambassador to Ireland at one point in time. Compared that to other NFL Franchises, Pittsburgh's involvement in Ireland runs pretty deep; connection via the Rooney Family Heritage or not.


In another example, Stephen Ross' massive amount of investments in Brazil along with Miami's relations with Brazil made the Dolphins the perfect team to lead the NFL's International Slate of games in Brazil.


If there is one major oddity, it is the LA Rams in China. Yes, Stan Kroenke has some partnerships over there with some Chinese Companies. However, his past rhetoric doesn't add up in terms of interest from my point of view.

 

This is my dream man. A proper opportunity to see steelers in person and meet fanatical fans. I appreciate it does take away from the great fans back in the Burgh.

 

I’m planning a trip to Ireland in February…. Maybe I should consider changing my plans until they announce a date….

 

Plus wouldn’t the weather suck there in February

 

No need to make it this difficult. The Steelers have been pushing for a game in Ireland for a month of sundays

 

My thoughts exactly.


The bigger question is why wasn't the expansion of countries within NFL International Series done a lot sooner?! Remember that the NFL International Series initiative started in 2007 when the New York Giants faced off against the Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium. The initiative would take off after the CBA through 2013 to 2015 via multi game deals. After successfully negotiating with Tottenham to reaching a 10 year deal back on July 8, 2015, interest in the NFL took off in Europe. Given how the NFL quickly moved on making the UK such a hub for the League, that is when the NFL should have also quickly expanded into other markets the following. Mexico would have been the obvious next destination. Ireland soon thereafter.


The NFL is just now approving games to be played after seeing the game grow worldwide for nearly a generation. Market Expansion should have been done during the 10 Year Anniversary of the very first game. Why the NFL didn't pursue this further in 2016 is beyond me; doubly so given the success of the agreement between a major Futbol Power in Tottenham a year earlier in addition to the rise of live streaming as a viable service.


I am personally pleased that the NFL is finally going worldwide. However, it is fair to critique the League as to why it took so damn long to do so.

 

No. None of those questions come to mind.

 

NFL EUROPE was a thing

 

You sure know how to make a guy feel old.

 

ME?????

 

What sane person books trips, or vacations during football season?

 

I’m not a fan of these overseas games. It takes away from the local economies of the towns that support these teams.

 

How would I know

One is a yearly beach trip and I usually get lucky and games are on TV

The second one I’m going to be in Switzerland riding trains some of which I had to book way in advance

 

Priorities man.

 

wherever they play

 

My memory may be wrong on this, but did not specific teams have the opportunity to 'stake' claims in specific countries? I know the Steelers pushed for playing in Ireland, but wasn't the effort more than just one game, and more to establish the following? While you question is valid, the timing issues could be more related to how fast recently streaming has evolved. A network game on TV at 9 AM Sunday, Vs a streaming platform that fans pay for has more financial benefits for the league. You still have the contracts with the networks, but now you can leverage more bucks form Amazon or their equivalents, market it specifically and grow your product.

 

Perhaps not for you.


For a business that cares a lot about making money like the NFL?! It matters a bunch.

 

Goodell has his critics, but the NFL ratings have continually gone up and this year are apparently the highest ever. NBA is tanking, bottom line for owners is profit, and they are doing quite well.

 

The fact they’re making more money now than they ever have is proof positive they know exactly what they’re doing. Perhaps you should stop playing what about and start taking notes

 

It’s a short hop over the Irish Sea for me.. I’m not big on international games but won’t look a gift horse in the mouth