This September, Ireland will host its first-ever NFL regular season game. American football has been growing in popularity, particularly over the last decade, and while it remains niche, it’s clear it will be the hottest ticket in town this September. Tickets sold out in minutes, and there will be a level of buzz around the city comparable to the Taylor Swift or Oasis concerts. It will be a cultural event as well as a sporting one.
Yet, if you don’t know your pigskins from your pass-rush, we can give you a quick breakdown of everything you need to know about the historic event:
Where and When?
The game takes place in Croke Park on Sunday, September 28, with a 14.30 start time. Despite the event being tagged as the NFL’s first game in Ireland, that’s not technically correct. Croke Park hosted a preseason NFL game between the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers in 1997, dubbed the “American Bowl.” Yet, that was essentially a friendly fixture. This time around, it’s the real deal.
Who Is Playing?
The game will pit the Minnesota Vikings against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former is the moneyline favourite in the NFL game odds, although it is very tight. Both teams have outside chances of being Super Bowl champions this year, and each fan base would be disappointed if they did not reach the Playoffs in January. It will be the 4th game of a 17-game regular season for both teams, so there should be little excuse for early-season rust. While we can’t say with certainty that the game will be pivotal for either team’s Playoff hopes, it could be.
Tickets and Broadcasting
As mentioned, tickets sold out very quickly. As seems to be the norm now regarding these significant events, there was controversy around the sales. The Irish Times called it a “fiasco,” with fans having to experience long delays and technical difficulties before ending up without tickets. There have been talks to broadcast the game live on free-to-air television, but it remains unclear if that will happen. Live streaming will be offered through options like DAZN NFL Game Pass.
Some Game Notes
The Steelers have brought in legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the offseason. It is indeed a gamble. At his peak for the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers, a four-time MVP winner, was in the conversation for one of the best players of all time. He’s 41 now, though, and the old magic may be more challenging. As for the Vikings, they were one of the surprise packages last season, posting a 14-3 record. The Vikings have doubters, though, and their goal this season will be to show that they are genuine contenders for Super Bowl LX in February. JJ McCarthy was named the starting quarterback for this season. It’s a significant risk.
The Future of the NFL in Ireland
The question of whether this will be ‘one and done’ has been asked, and the good news is that it seems this won’t be the last time the NFL comes to Ireland. First, the NFL wants to expand internationally, playing up to eight games abroad each year. Secondly, teams have strategically chosen territories – the Jacksonville Jaguars have targeted London, and the LA Rams have pinpointed Australia. There is a lot of speculation that the Pittsburgh Steelers may see Ireland as their second home. As the name suggests, the team’s owners, the Rooney Family, have historical ties to Ireland.
