"Convincing NFL teams to play international games isn't the task it used to be, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in Dublin ahead of the first regular-season NFL game in Ireland. Speaking at a small music venue near the city center Saturday, Goodell said teams have embraced the global expansion of the game. Rather than having to talk teams into participating in international contests, they are enthusiastically volunteering to be involved in the games."
""In today's world, we have to be global," Goodell said. "Every time we play an international game, fans say they want more. I really, truly believe our game can and will be global. Our job is to share our game with the rest of the world.""
"Part of that is holding the first NFL regular-season game in Ireland between the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park on Sunday. The Steelers have deep ties to Ireland because the Rooney family emigrated from the island and the late Dan Rooney was the U.S. ambassador to Ireland. "The Steelers were pushing us very hard to get the Steelers over here," Goodell said. Sitting next to him on stage, Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II smiled and added, "That's a fair assessment.""
Teams now actively volunteer to participate in international NFL games, reflecting strong organizational buy-in for global expansion. The league aims to stage 16 international games so each team would play one annually. Expansion plans include a 2026 game in Australia and likely future games in Asia. The first regular-season NFL game in Ireland will be at Croke Park between the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have deep ties to Ireland through the Rooney family and the late Dan Rooney's service as U.S. ambassador. International crowds are typically about 90% local fans who often request more games.
Read at ESPN.com
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