Not long ago, the idea of Ireland hosting an NFL game seemed more like a whimsical notion than a genuine possibility. NFL international games, with all their pyrotechnics, had firmly planted roots in Mexico back in 2005 and spread to the UK, Germany and Brazil, but until recently Ireland seemed like a stretch too far. It is, of course, a nice idea, but is Ireland truly ready to host the most capitalist and spectacle-driven league in the world?
Yet, when Roger Goodell spoke to the NFL Network recently, casually naming Ireland as a potential host for an upcoming game, it was as if the axis tilted ever so slightly.
For years, Ireland had been part of the NFL conversation only in terms of the occasional player with Irish ancestry or the well-worn tales of Rooney Family’s beloved links to the old country. Goodell’s comments, though, marked a subtle but seismic shift. For the first time, Ireland was not just a cultural footnote but a genuine contender to host a game. His tone suggested more than polite diplomacy; it hinted at planning, at intent, at a desire to bring a relevant game to Dublin. It suddenly became a tangible notion, hovering just over the horizon.
There is still much to be done before this vision can be realised, but Goodell’s words have transformed the conversation. And he wasn’t referring to a potential game in the coming years – the NFL carnival could arrive in Dublin as soon as next season.
When the NFL International Series began in 2007, it was a bold experiment. American football, with its intricate strategies and commercial breaks, seemed an unlikely export to capture European hearts. But the series, launched with a regular-season game in London’s Wembley Stadium, quickly proved the doubters wrong. Fans flocked to the games in numbers that astonished even the league’s most optimistic executives.
Over the years, the series expanded its footprint, with each venue exhibiting an elaborate showcase of the NFL’s unparalleled capacity to blend sport and entertainment. The games weren’t just matches; they were cultural invasions, complete with flyovers, marching bands, and a fervour that belied their temporary nature. With each new city added to the roster, the NFL cemented its status as a global juggernaut, capable of transcending borders and languages through sheer force of spectacle.
Ireland, however, has always been an onlooker. Until now.
Ireland has flirted with the NFL before, albeit briefly and under very different circumstances. In July 1997, the Pittsburgh Steelers came to Croke Park for a pre-season game against the Chicago Bears, a match that was merely a novelty before the season swung into action. It was a simpler time for the NFL’s global ambitions, when shipping two teams across the Atlantic for a game that didn’t count seemed revolutionary. The game drew a respectable crowd of approximately 30,000, with curious locals mingling with expats and die-hard fans who’d been starved of gridiron action on this side of the world.
Pre-season games, even back in the United States, are about as high-octane as a friendly kickabout. The fans knew it, the players knew it, and the organisers knew it too. Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape is entirely different. A regular-season game would bring the full force of the NFL machine: star players, playoff implications, and the kind of intensity that turns stadiums into cauldrons full of colour. The demand for tickets will dwarf anything seen in 1997, with fans clamouring for a piece of the action in a way that was unimaginable back then. Tickets are likely to vanish within seconds of going online.
If the Steelers-Bears game was a toe dipped in the water, 2025 promises to be a cannonball.
It goes without saying that Ireland is a country steeped in sporting tradition; the drama and history of Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium is woven into the national identity. But a regular-season NFL game would bring Ireland to a global sports audience. The opportunity is immense, not just in terms of prestige, but in the sheer economic windfall it could bring. Tourism chiefs must already be dreaming of hotels packed with jersey-clad fans and Temple Bar overflowing with chants of “Here we go, Steelers.”
But with opportunity comes responsibility. And the NFL is not known for compromising on standards. The league’s expectations will be high – this is, after all, an organisation that treats its Super Bowl halftime show as a production rivaling the Oscars. Ireland’s track record with major events is strong, but there’s a difference between hosting the Six Nations and accommodating the logistical behemoth that is the NFL.
Infrastructure will need to be meticulously prepared, from ensuring the pitch meets NFL specifications to managing the broadcast complexities that accompany a global spectacle. This is a few steps above hosting a college football game which is a mammoth task itself.
NFL events operate on a level of extravagance that few nations are accustomed to. It’s not just about the game – it’s the pre-game tailgate, the halftime show, the razzmatazz, the brand activations that turn the surrounding area into a circus. If Ireland wants to secure more than a one-off game, it will need to prove it can not only match but exceed expectations.
This isn’t just a game; it’s an audition. A successful game could open the door to a spot in the International Series rotation, with regular visits bringing a steady stream of fans, revenue, and global attention. Failure would consign Ireland to a place that tried and couldn’t quite measure up, and there will never be a second chance.
The challenge is daunting, but the reward is enormous.
For all of Ireland’s pride in its sporting venues, there’s a tendency to overstate their standing. We call them “world-class” without fully grasping the sheer scale of an NFL operation. The league demands perfection – broadcast precision, seamless logistics, and a showmanship that rivals Broadway on opening night. Meeting these standards is a colossal challenge, one that will test every aspect of Ireland’s infrastructure and planning.
But this is also an opportunity for Ireland to prove it can punch above its weight on the global stage. The stakes are immense. If Ireland manages to rise to the occasion, it could be a triumph that leaves a legacy that lasts decades.