The Steelers will make history when they play in the first-ever NFL regular season game in Ireland on Sunday, Sept. 28, playing host to the Minnesota Vikings at Dublin's Croke Park.
To celebrate the game, the Steelers and Aer Lingus are bringing the Black & Gold to the Emerald Isle with a week-long takeover filled with fan events, community programming, and unforgettable experiences that will take place across the island of Ireland.
Steelers Nation will be on full display with Black & Gold themed activities being hosted for fans in Dublin. Additionally, Steelers legends will be on hand to engage with fans and create memorable experiences.
The NFL Dublin Game is one of seven international games that will be played during the 2025 season. It is part of ongoing efforts to continue to expand the NFL's global footprint and take the game to new audiences around the world.
Steelers President Art Rooney II and his family have a rich history and deep connection with Ireland. The Rooney family emigrated to the United States from Newry, County Down. The late Dan Rooney, Art Rooney II's father, served as U.S. ambassador to Ireland from 2009-2012 and was a co-founder of The Ireland Funds in 1976.
The Steelers organization has been active in the Irish market as part of the NFL's Global Markets Program which granted the team rights to expand activities on the Island of Ireland in 2023. The Steelers have fostered in-market partnerships and hosted in-person activities such as watch parties and flag football events to raise awareness of American football and to reach and engage Irish fans.
"We are thrilled to play in Ireland and give our fans a truly unique game day experience," said Art Rooney II. "We can't wait to see our devoted and enthusiastic fans—both our Irish fans and those who are traveling to Dublin to attend the game."
Earlier this year, the Steelers entered into a four-year partnership with Aer Lingus establishing the airline as the Official Airline of Steelers Ireland and a Founding Partner of Steelers Ireland. As part of the partnership, Aer Lingus will fly the team to Ireland for the game. Aer Lingus offers convenient travel options for fans making their way to Dublin this fall with 21 direct routes from North America to Ireland. The airline also flies 70 routes from Europe and the U.K. to the Irish capital. Aer Lingus will ensure that Steelers fans from the U.S., as well as the U.K. and Europe, enjoy the most seamless journey to Ireland.
Fans can learn more about all the Black & Gold activities taking place in Ireland in the list below or on the Steelers NFL Dublin Game Page.
Dublin Game Fan Activities: Key Events & Dates
Steelers Pro Shop - Dublin (Scheduled to Open Sept. 4)
In the United States, fans can purchase their Ireland Collection gear here. In Ireland, the Steelers are bringing the ultimate fan shop right to the fans with a new 1,500+ square feet shop that will open in Dublin. Irish fans will be able to visit the Dublin location to stock up on exclusive Steelers gear that is a part of the Ireland Collection. The shop will also be filled with wall-to-wall Black & Gold gear for gameday and beyond. The store, which will be operated by National Merchandise, Europe's leading merchandise concessions company, will be open for the duration of the 2025 NFL season.
• When: Scheduled to open on Friday, Sept. 5
• Where: 40 Clarendon Street, Dublin D02 R921
The Terrible Towel Tour (Sept. 22-24)
Steelers Legend and radio personality, Max Starks, will travel across the island of Ireland in a Steelers branded van, giving out Terrible Towels and uniting Steelers Nation. This tour sets the stage for the team's arrival and is an opportunity to connect with and rally fans across the island ahead of the game. Fans can follow the tour on Steelers social media.
Fitzsimons Temple Bar Takeover (Sept. 26–28)
The world-famous pub in Dublin's Temple Bar will become the Steelers Pub and headquarters for the entire weekend. Serving as the gathering point for Steelers Nation, Temple Bar will be transformed into a Black & Gold hub celebrating Steelers culture with live content, giveaways, legends, and much more.
• When: Friday, Sept. 26 – Sunday, Sept. 28
• Where: Fitzsimons, 21–22 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin D02 YK79
Steelers Tailgate at Merrion Square (Sept. 26–28)
The ultimate Steelers tailgate is coming to the iconic Merrion Square. The free event will include three days packed with entertainment, legends appearances, fan activities, Steelers merchandise for sale, photo ops, giveaways, and flag football. The tailgate will conclude with a watch party on Sunday for those that are not attending the game. Steelers-themed food and beverages will be available for purchase.
• When: Friday, Sept. 26 – Sunday, Sept. 28
• Where: Merrion Square, Dublin
• Partners: Presented by Aer Lingus; supported by UPMC and Heinz
• Tickets: Registration is free, but fans must RSVP to attend
Whether fans are staying stateside or traveling to the Emerald Isle, they can stay connected to the team and all the activities happening Ireland in the following ways:
• Stay Connected: Download the Steelers Mobile App for team updates and Ireland activities. Download the NFL OnePass app for game day details and additional fan information.
• Follow Along: Follow @SteelersIreland for all the happenings in Ireland via X, Instagram, and TikTok. Fans can also tune into the official Pittsburgh Steelers Irish podcast – emanating from the island of Ireland.
• Game Tickets: Limited packages that include verified tickets and access to the official Steelers pregame party are still available via On Location, the Official Hospitality Provider of the NFL. Fans can book packages here.
• Tune In: Fans staying stateside can watch the game on Sunday, Sept. 28 via NFL Network at 9:30AM EDT. Local fans in Pittsburgh can also watch the game on WTAE Channel 4.
• Featured Content: Fans can enjoy special Steelers programming leading up to game day, including A Steelers Story, Presented by Aer Lingus (Sept. 25), a new documentary on the late Dan Rooney and his impact on Ireland, and The Standard, Presented by Hyundai - Dublin Game Week Edition (Sept. 26), an inside look at the team and Croke Park's preparation for the historic matchup. Both will debut on Steelers digital and social platforms.
About the Pittsburgh Steelers:
The fifth-oldest franchise in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers were founded on July 8, 1933, by Arthur Joseph Rooney. Pittsburgh is among the most successful franchises in League history. The Steelers have won six Super Bowl titles, tied for the most in the NFL, and appeared in eight overall. Pittsburgh has also participated in 16 conference title games and hosted 11 – both of which rank among the top in the League. The Steelers have had 33 former players, coaches or contributors inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
About Aer Lingus:
Aer Lingus is the Irish flag carrier, founded in 1936. Aer Lingus operates over 100 routes from Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock to Europe, the U.K. and North America. Reaffirming its commitment to North America, the airline will operate 24 transatlantic routes in 2025 from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester, U.K. to North America and the Caribbean.
Aer Lingus is a 4-star airline, awarded by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization. Aer Lingus is a member of International Airlines Group (IAG), one of the world's largest airline groups. As part of IAG, Aer Lingus has pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and has committed to powering 10% of its flights using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030.
About National Merchandise:
National Merchandise is Europe's leading merchandise concessions company, operating in over 30 venues across the U.K., Ireland, and Sweden. Beyond on-site sales, they offer a full 360° service—designing, manufacturing, and managing merchandise concessions for some of Europe's largest festivals and well-known sports teams and brands. Their partners include PDC Darts, the Belfast Giants, College Football Ireland, and the Nottingham Panthers. From concept and production to game day retail, permanent and pop-up shops, and e-commerce, they deliver a seamless, end-to-end merchandise solution.
About The Kraft Heinz Company:
We are driving transformation at The Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC), inspired by our Purpose, Let's Make Life Delicious. Consumers are at the center of everything we do. With 2024 net sales of approximately $26 billion, we are committed to growing our iconic and emerging food and beverage brands on a global scale. We leverage our scale and agility to unleash the full power of Kraft Heinz across a portfolio of eight consumer-driven product platforms. As global citizens, we're dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways. Learn more about our journey by visiting www.kraftheinzcompany.com or following us on LinkedIn.
About UPMC:
A $26 billion health care provider and insurer, Pittsburgh-based UPMC is inventing new models of patient-centered, cost-effective, accountable care. The largest non-governmental employer in Pennsylvania, UPMC integrates 95,000 employees, 40 hospitals, 800 doctors' offices and outpatient sites, and a nearly 4.5 million-member Insurance Services Division, the largest medical insurer in western Pennsylvania. In the most recent fiscal year, UPMC contributed $1.5 billion in benefits to its communities, including more care to the region's most vulnerable citizens than any other health care institution, and paid more than $900 million in federal, state, and local taxes. Working in close collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC shares its clinical, managerial, and technological skills worldwide through its innovation and commercialization arm, UPMC Enterprises, and through UPMC International. U.S. News consistently ranks UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside among the nation's best hospitals in many specialties and ranks UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh on its Honor Roll of America's Best Children's Hospitals. For more information, go to UPMC.com.
