The Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park in Dublin on September 28, 2025. It was a game like no other as it's the first time a regular season NFL game was played in Ireland. For both fans and players, it's a huge deal and possibly the start of a tradition.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers ahead of a play in Dublin, Ireland during a win over the Minnesota Vikings.
In this article, we'll go over everything you need to know about the game from the team's perspective, but also from the perspective of the NFL trying to branch out internationally, and of players of Irish descent.
Setting the Scene
Croke Park has a capacity of 80,000 and deep ties to Gaelic games. It's one of the most iconic sports venues in Ireland and one that's no stranger to sporting history. The Steelers were the home team for the game, which is based in Ireland, and the other eight home games will be held at Pittsburgh's Acrisure Stadium.
Other NFL games are scheduled to be played abroad this year – Berlin, London, Madrid, as a part of a growing effort by the league to reach international markets and European fans.
What Does it Mean for the Players?
For many players, the game had special significance due to their Irish family heritage. This is especially true for the Steelers, since the Rooney family has had such a great impact on the team's founding and its growth throughout the years.
On the other hand, travel and logistics were somewhat challenging and may have negatively impacted the teams, leaving players tired and underprepared. New training facilities and especially different time zones can take their toll on the players. Croke Park's facilities, however, are top of the line.
The game abroad is also a great business opportunity for both teams. It's a chance for the players to be ambassadors for their teams, the league as a whole, and even football as such, since the sport still needs to improve its rating among European fans. The best outcome of such visits would be for more European networks to pick up NFL coverage.
What Will the Fans Gain?
Local Irish fans were the most excited about the game. It's a rare opportunity to watch a regular-season NFL game without having to travel across the Atlantic. They are also die-hard Steeler fans, very much familiar with the team's tradition. There's also a full week of fan-oriented events organized by the Steelers, so it's a big deal for everyone involved.
Fans who went to the game from across Ireland also faced some logistical challenges, such as travel, lodging, and additional expenses. The team and the venue did what they could to assist with this, and it's a bucket list event, so it's worth it.
In a broader sense, the game will also have a positive impact on the local economy. Both teams and the fans will bring in revenue for local businesses, including those unrelated to the event.
The Game Itself
The venue is what's discussed when it comes to this game and the match itself. According to the best crypto sports betting sites, the Vikings were a clear favorite to win. These sites allow the players to make wagers regardless of where they are based and without providing personal data. Crypto payments are safe and fast compared to fiat money ones.
Most agreed that it would be a close game and that the Vikings will probably win narrowly, possibly by 3 points, but the Steelers came out on top.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz during Pittsburgh's 24-21 win at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland.
What to Watch For?
There are a few trends that could emerge from the game that fans should be on the lookout for. Most aren't about the game itself, but about the fact that it's held in Ireland. First of all, everyone will try to figure out how much the player's performance will suffer due to travel and complex circumstances.
Fan accessibility and cost will determine if this will be a one-off event or something that will be seen more in the future, as European fans get into football. Cultural and logistical mismatches could also have an impact and possibly discourage other teams from playing abroad.
To Sum Up
The Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings played a game in Ireland. This is the first such game for both teams, but it's a part of a broader trend for the league, as three more games will be played abroad. It's a huge deal for both Irish fans and the Steelers, who have long ties with Ireland.
The travel and logistics of a game played in Europe can be challenging and may impact the team's performance. However, numerous benefits may arise from expanding the league into new markets and attracting new fan bases.
