Press release
NFL to touchdown in Dublin in 2025
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, and The Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue, today announced that Ireland is to host a regular season NFL fixture for the first time.
Building on the successful past of hosting American football fixtures in Ireland, the State will host a regular season NFL fixture in 2025. It is hoped that this fixture is a successful and entertaining event that can be built on and expanded in the future.
Speaking today, Minister O’Donovan said:
“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. It will also build upon the deep cultural, family and economic ties between Ireland and the United States. I look forward to welcoming thousands of American football fans from the US, Europe and further afield to our shores for this historic game, and also to the ongoing collaboration with the NFL, Sport Ireland and American Football Ireland to grow American football participation in Ireland, both the tackle and flag format of the game, as part of the government’s commitment to increasing the number of people regularly participating in sport and physical activity.”
Minister McConalogue added:
“Ireland has already established itself as a key overseas home for American college football with the established success of the annual College Classic every August. Bringing the NFL to Dublin is a logical and natural next step and builds on the growing engagement among Irish sports fans with all forms of American football. It also builds on the deep relationships between Ireland and the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Rooney family, and I hope that the Rooneys and the Steelers Nation will feel like they’re coming home when they arrive in Ireland.”
Major International Sports Events benefit the participants and have the potential to drive participation in sport, contribute to trade, tourism, business, community engagement and economic growth. Such events can also increase national pride and affect how we are viewed internationally. Major Events can also require government support and input to win bids and to host the events. This can come in the form of financial support, legislation, commercial protections, ICT, transport and security provisions.
Over recent years Ireland has won bids to host Ryder Cup 2027, EURO 2020 and the Women’s Rugby World Cup and engaged in a bid for Rugby World Cup 2023. We have been successful in bidding for EURO 2028 with the UK and are halfway through the series of 5 major college football games in the Aviva Stadium known as the Aer Lingus College Football Classics.