The Pittsburgh Steelers are hopeful to play an NFL game in Ireland in the future, according to director of business development and strategy Dan Rooney. Although a regular-season NFL game has never been held in Ireland, the Steelers did play a pre-season match against the Chicago Bears at Croke Park in 1997. Additionally, the Aviva Stadium in Dublin has recently hosted college football matches.
Rooney expressed his excitement about the possibility of playing in front of Irish fans. He mentioned that it has been a goal from the beginning and that they are working with the NFL to explore this opportunity. The NFL has been expanding across Europe in recent years, with plans for games in London and Germany in 2024.
However, Rooney acknowledged that while they would love to bring the Steelers to Ireland, the final decision lies with the NFL. He mentioned that Croke Park would be a special venue for the game, but ultimately, it is up to the league to decide on the location. Rooney also noted that there is growing interest in American football in Ireland, citing Charlie Smyth through the NFL’s international player pathway program.
Smyth, a former Down GAA goalkeeper, signed with the New Orleans Saints as a kicker after participating in IPP trials. Rooney praised Smyth’s talent and highlighted how easy it was for him to transition from Gaelic football kicking to American football kicking. He expressed his excitement about international players challenging to make NFL rosters and noted how impressive their skills are when they grow up kicking a ball in Ireland.
Overall, Rooney believes that bringing an NFL game to Ireland would be great for both sides – providing Irish fans with an exciting new sporting experience and giving American players a chance to showcase their skills on an international stage.