NFL commissioner says 2025 game in Ireland 'a possibility'

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reported to be a "prime candidate" to play in Ireland. 

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaking on the NFL Network.

Roger Goodell says a game being held in Ireland during the 2025 NFL season is a "possibility".

The NFL commissioner said on Sunday, during the final international game of 2024, that the league aims to have eight fixtures played outside the United States next season.

"We are definitely going to Spain. We've announced that" Goodell told the NFL Network before the New York Giants played the Carolina Panthers in Munich. 

"We expect to return to Mexico City. We expect to return to Brazil. We will certainly be back in the UK. And we are also looking at the potential of another game in the UK or area - in Ireland, possibly. Yeah, that's a possibility. We'll certainly be back in Germany. Eight is what we're shooting for."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell eyes eight international games next year… https://t.co/w5eu4pwqeS

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 10, 2024

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in October that the Pittsburgh Steelers are a "prime candidate" to feature in the first NFL regular season game to be played in Ireland. 

The Steelers played a 1997 pre-season game against the Chicago Bears at Croke Park. The team has developed a close relationship with the GAA, with watch parties for Steelers games being held at Croke Park. In March, GAA president Jarlath Burns was part of a GAA and GPA delegation which visited the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

Steelers owner Art Rooney said in August that "there's a good chance in the 2025 season that we'll have an international game". 

"Of course that's up to the league, not up to us," he added. "We're kind of due for that and we are expecting it could be in Mexico or Ireland."