You’ll forgive me if I’m not slamming a Guiness today to celebrate the Pittsburgh Steelers playing a HOME game in Ireland this fall. I was always under the impression that teams played their home games in the city for which they are named but that went out the window some time ago. Just ask the fans in London, I mean…. Jacksonville.
Several league sources have suggested that the game, to be played in Dublin, is likely to be during week four of the 2025 season. Divisional games are usually “hands off” when it comes to games such as these so that limits the potential opponents to the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks. Frankly, I really don’t care who they play.
This is one – of several – aspects of the NFL I can’t stand. Preseason games? No problem. I don’t really care where those are played. The Steelers once hosted Chicago in a preseason game in Dublin back in 1997 and that went just fine as I recall. Why now does it have to be a meaningful, regular season game? I don’t see the Premier League playing regular season games in the U.S.
As you know, this is about “growing the brand.” It’s about giving fans in other parts of the world a chance to see their favorite team up close and in person and in a meaningful game. I’m sure Manchester United or Liverpool fans would be “just fine” with their teams playing regular season games overseas rather than at Old Trafford or Anfield. Did you hear those collective fan bases scream in horror just now? I know how they would feel.
In its quest for global dominance and greater relevance, the NFL is also giving a huge middle finger to a significant number of people in Pittsburgh. Ticket scanners, beer sellers, bars, restaurants, hotels… all could have used that extra home game. Instead, millions of dollars will flow overseas. Local economies and fans be damned!
I wish my view on this would evolve but it’s not going to anytime soon if ever. I’m old school when it comes to the traditions of football and the Pittsburgh Steelers. If that makes me wrong then I don’t want to be right.
