Of all NFL teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been among the least frequent travelers for international games. The team’s loan sojourn outside of the US for a regular season game came in 2013, with a loss to the Vikings in London. As has been well-documented, the Steelers will make a second trip to foreign soil this September, and they’ll have a chance for some long-term revenge, as it is again the Vikings that they’ll be up against.
Of course, it is no surprise that the chance to play in Ireland turned the collective heads of the Rooney Family. Art Rooney made no secret about his proud ancestral ties to the Emerald Isle and his desire to bring his team there. He got his wish, and while not all Steelers fans are overly enthused about international games, it is an excellent opportunity to grow the brand in a market where the NFL is growing.
The Vikings are marginal favorites for the game according to the latest NFL game odds, yet, aside from the game itself, what can the Steelers expect in Dublin? It will certainly be unique, for a variety of reasons. But let’s take a closer look at the elements that make the first-ever NFL game in Ireland extra special.
A stadium like no other
Croke Park, the venue for the game, is one of Europe’s great sports cathedrals. It opened in 1884, and its history tells the story of modern Ireland. It is a mecca for Gaelic Games (Gaelic football, hurling, etc.), and we should note that “foreign” sports were not allowed (a legacy of resistance to British occupation). While the NFL will be welcomed with open arms, it’s worth remembering that “Croker,” as Dublin locals call the 82,000-capacity venue, is hallowed ground. Regardless of the outcome, Steelers and Vikings fans should be pleased that their teams will play the first-ever NFL game in the storied venue.
A growing fanbase
Some fans will travel across the Atlantic from Pittsburgh and Minneapolis to see the game, but most of those in attendance will be Irish NFL fans. The league is growing in popularity there, although it still lags Gaelic Games, rugby, and soccer. We should also point out that you can get to Dublin in less than one hour from most UK airports, so we’d expect plenty of English fans to make the trip. Tickets sold out in hours, so it tells you something about the appetite among local fans.
The host city
If you’ve been to Dublin, you’ll know it has a certain charm. It’s much larger than Pittsburgh’s population, but it feels smaller. The contradiction comes from the easy-going vibe that permeates the city. It’s something of a stereotype to look at Ireland as a picture-book example of old-world character. It’s one of the richest, highly educated, and tech-savvy countries in the world, and Dublin is at the heart of that. Yet, if you are traveling for the game, you’ll still find plenty of old-school pubs with people having the ‘craic’ over a Pint of Guinness or two. A brilliant city for a short vacation, and the atmosphere will be electric when the NFL rolls into town.
The weather
Late September in Ireland is unlikely to be hot. Indeed, it rarely gets above the mid-60s in September. It’s unlikely to be cold, though. The cliché of it often raining in Ireland does bear some truth, so don’t be surprised if the Steelers are battling the Vikings in the drizzle. Overall, it’s likely to be good football weather – not too hot or cold- so the players should be at their best.
The final word The game will likely be the Steelers’ toughest test up to that point in the season. They have three winnable matches (Jets, Seahawks, Patriots) leading up to Week 4 in Ireland, so there is a chance to build momentum going into a game that could be pivotal in the Steelers’ Playoff hopes. As for what comes next, it remains to be seen whether the “Dublin Game” becomes a regular fixture on the NFL calendar or if the Steelers will want to return. But you can be sure that if the Steelers win, there’ll be fond memories of the team’s first trip to the Emerald Isle for the nation’s first NFL game.
