American football fans promised ‘quite a show’ as NFL touches down in Ireland
By Nicole McBride, PA
American football fans have been promised “quite a show” when the NFL touches down in Ireland on Sunday.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings will make history when they compete in the first regular season NFL match hosted at Croke Park in Dublin.
Steelers president Art Rooney II and his son Dan, vice president of business development and strategy, visited Northern Ireland on Thursday to take part in events with local children.
The Rooney family trace their roots to Newry in Co Down.
Arthur Rooney founded the American football team in Pittsburgh in 1933 after the family emigrated from Ireland in the 1800s.
Grandson of the founder Dan Rooney said: “It feels so special to be here. I know how important connecting with the island was for my grandfather, so we’re just trying to carry on what he taught us, to care for our homeland and to engage with the people and to bring American football back here.
“A bunch of the family have made the trip over, and they’re just excited to be here.”
The Steelers visited Dublin in 1997 to compete in a pre-season game at Croke Park.
Not long now… ⏰ pic.twitter.com/nE5dfD6hcg
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) September 25, 2025
Mr Rooney said: “The game of American football has grown significantly across the island which we’ve seen when we carried out a few watch parties throughout the last few seasons. The fan base is bigger now than it was in 1997.
“The stakes are a little higher than when we visited in 1997 so the Irish fans are in for quite a show.”
Two former Steelers players – Jerome Bettis and Ike Taylor – hosted a youth event to showcase the development of flag football and the team’s investment in grassroots engagement across Northern Ireland.
Approximately 90 children aged 11–15 from nine schools took part in the Steelers Flag Football Clinic, held at Colin Glen Leisure Centre in Belfast.
Boys and girls experienced the sport while receiving expert coaching from the Steelers stars.
Mr Rooney said: “The people of Ireland are incredibly hospitable and fun to engage with, and it’s great to be able to teach the game of American football to the youth of today.”
.@JeromeBettis36 & @Ike_SwagginU coaching them up in Belfast #PlayFootball🏈 pic.twitter.com/Xi3Mlp2cjS
— Steelers Youth Football (@SteelersYouthFB) September 25, 2025
The Rooney family also travelled to Newry, where they visited St Mary’s High School and announced the recipients of the Dan and Patricia Rooney “No Mind Left Behind” scholarship.
The scholarship, part of the No Mind Left Behind programme developed by The Ireland Funds, supports promising students to go to university.
The Garda has warned that heavy traffic is expected in Dublin city centre and in the wider area throughout Sunday.
A large Garda presence has been organised for policing and traffic management.
Associated game events will take place including a tailgate party in Merrion Square on Sunday.
A fan march will set off from Fairview Park close to kick-off.
