Ahead of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, the National Football League (NFL) has announced a major expansion of its international series with regular-season games set to be played for the first time in Dublin, Ireland, in 2025, and in Melbourne, Australia in 2026. The expansion not only accelerates the NFL’s global ambitions, but will boost the economies of both cities through international visitation and showcasing the tourism and sporting highlights of each destination.
Held in partnership with the Government of Ireland and Dublin City Council, the 2025 NFL Dublin game will take place at Croke Park, the largest sporting arena in Ireland and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). The Pittsburgh Steelers will play as the designated team for the historic first regular-season game in Ireland’s capital city. In fact, the Steelers are one of only two NFL teams to have played a game in Ireland to date, a pre-season match in 1997 against the Chicago Bears at Croke Park as part of the American Bowl series.
Peter O’Reilly, executive vice president international, league events and club business at the NFL, said: “We are delighted to officially bring a regular season NFL game to Ireland as part of our 2025 International Games slate. Both the NFL and the Steelers franchise have deep roots and history in Ireland, and we’re looking forward to making our regular-season debut in Dublin, bringing our game to a large and passionate Irish fan base and underlining the NFL’s commitment to global growth.”
Patrick O’Donovan TD, Ireland’s minister for arts, media, communications, culture and sport, added: “This is a major vote of confidence in Ireland’s ability to host world class events and in Dublin’s reputation as one of the most welcoming cities in the world. Hosting a regular season NFL game in 2025 will have huge benefits for Irish tourism, the wider economy and our sports ecosystem.”
2025 NFL Europe games and teams
The NFL will host five regular-season games in Europe in 2025, with Dublin joining Berlin, Madrid and London on the schedule. It’s reported that Mexico and Brazil could also host games this year. The designated teams for the 2025 games in Europe are:
- Berlin, Germany – Olympic Stadium: Indianapolis Colts
- Dublin, Ireland – Croke Park: Pittsburgh Steelers
- Madrid, Spain – Bernabéu Stadium: Miami Dolphins
- London, England – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (two games): New York Jets and Cleveland Browns
- London, England – Wembley Stadium: Jacksonville Jaguars
NFL to go down under in 2026
In addition to the games scheduled for Europe in 2025, the NFL has further expanded its international series with Melbourne announced to host the first-ever regular season game in Australia in 2026. The game will be played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with the Los Angeles Rams as the designated team. Melbourne has also been confirmed to host regular season games on a multiyear commitment.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said: “Expanding to Melbourne, Australia, a beautiful city with a rich sports history, underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth. Together with the Victorian State Government, Visit Victoria and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and with the Los Angeles Rams in 2026, we look forward to making history in what is an important market for the NFL and a significant next step in expanding our international footprint.”
Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan added: “We’re thrilled the NFL will be touching down in the sporting capital of Australia. Victoria is now the first-ever state in Australia to host a regular season NFL game. It’s a win for jobs, a win for businesses and a win for fans who will get to see American football played at the iconic MCG.”
For more information on the NFL International Games see nfl.com and onlocationexp.com
Pittsburgh to host NFL draft in 2026
As well as their trip to Dublin in 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans are also preparing for the city to host the NFL Draft in 2026. Announced by the VisitPITTSBURGH tourism board, in collaboration with the NFL, the 2026 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light will take place from 23-25 April 2026 with the main portion of the event expected to incorporate elements of Pittsburgh’s North Shore and Point State Park, as well as Acrisure Stadium.
“This is a monumental step forward in bringing the 2026 NFL Draft to life right here in the City of Champions,” said Jerad Bachar, President and CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH. “With just 15 months to go, we look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the NFL and officials at the state, county, city and Pittsburgh Steelers to work collaboratively across the community to produce one of the best events Pittsburgh has ever hosted and one of the most memorable NFL Drafts the world has ever watched. Mark your calendars, because all eyes will be on Pittsburgh soon.”
For more details about sport in Pittsburgh, see visitpittsburgh.com and sportspittsburgh.com
Main image: NFL UK & Ireland/Twitter