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NFL in IrelandNFL Dublin 2027: is Croke Park getting a second game?
Dublin hosted its first regular-season NFL game in September 2025 and had no game in 2026. A 2027 return is wanted by Croke Park and the Irish government, but the NFL has announced nothing. Treat any Dublin game as to be confirmed until the league names its host cities, usually around February.
The honest answer on NFL Dublin 2027
There is no official NFL game in Dublin for 2027 yet. What exists is a strong push. In February 2026, Croke Park chief executive Peter McKenna said he was really confident about 2027, and the Irish government and the stadium have both said they want the NFL back in 2027 or 2028. Neither statement is a fixture.
Dublin missed out in 2026 because the European slot it hoped for went to Paris. For 2027 the league can stage up to ten international games, and teams can no longer refuse to give up a home game, which gives the NFL more room to add cities. Even so, Dublin sits among the intentions, not the commitments, alongside Madrid and Melbourne. Date, teams and kick-off are all to be confirmed. For the cities that are locked in, see our International Series 2027 page.
Steelers, Rooneys and a full Croke Park: Dublin's NFL story
Dublin's NFL story so far is short but loud.
| Date | Game | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Sep 2025 | Vikings at Steelers (Croke Park) | Steelers 24-21 |
That game drew 74,512 fans and was the first regular-season NFL game played in Ireland. Before it, Croke Park had only staged a preseason game between the Steelers and the Bears in 1997.
The Pittsburgh link is not an accident. The Steelers hold the NFL's international marketing rights for Ireland, the Rooney family who own the club trace their roots to Newry in County Down, and Aer Lingus signed a four-year partnership with the team from 2025. If Dublin returns, a Steelers game would be the obvious guess, but that is speculation, not news. The 2025 game was estimated to be worth around 105 million euros to the Irish economy, against public investment of about 10 million.
Getting to Croke Park for the NFL in Dublin
Croke Park, home of Gaelic games, holds 82,300 for GAA fixtures. It sits on Dublin's northside, close enough to the city centre to walk.
- Drumcondra (Irish Rail commuter trains): about ten minutes on foot, the closest station.
- Connolly (DART, Irish Rail and the Luas Red Line): around twenty minutes on foot.
- Dublin Bus services along Drumcondra Road and North Circular Road stop nearby.
On match day, allow extra time: with a crowd of more than 70,000, the streets around Jones's Road and Drumcondra fill up early.
How Dublin NFL tickets worked in 2025, and what to expect
Tickets for international games are sold through Ticketmaster using a free NFL Ticketmaster account, created at nfl.com/international/ticketaccount. In 2025 fans could also register interest on the Dublin page of nfl.com to receive sale information. If Dublin is confirmed for 2027, expect a similar registration page.
Demand was enormous. The general sale opened at midday on 17 June 2025, more than 600,000 accounts logged in, and the game sold out. Seats on Hill 16, the famous terrace, were allocated through a separate ballot. Tickets were sold as mobile tickets tied to an account.
- Create the NFL Ticketmaster account well before any sale.
- Expect queues measured in hundreds of thousands, not thousands.
- Be wary of resale listings: a seat offered before tickets are even delivered may not exist.
The quickest way to hear about a confirmed 2027 game is our Dublin alert.
Planning an NFL Dublin budget without a fixture
The 2025 Croke Park price ranges are displayed on this page; any 2027 prices are to be confirmed. Without a date, the smart move is preparation rather than spending: set up your account, decide your maximum per seat, and research flights and accommodation so you can book quickly if an announcement lands. Dublin hotels fill fast on big event weekends, so free cancellation is worth paying for.
Travelling to Dublin for the NFL from Britain or the US
From Britain, Dublin is a short flight from most major airports, or a ferry crossing from Holyhead or Liverpool. American fans have the advantage of US preclearance at Dublin Airport on the way home, and Aer Lingus flies direct to several US cities.
If Dublin does not appear in 2027, London is guaranteed games at both Tottenham and Wembley; see our NFL London 2027 guide or the NFL Europe 2027 overview. This site is an independent guide, not affiliated with the NFL.
NFL Dublin — frequently asked questions
Is there an NFL game in Dublin in 2027?
Not officially. Croke Park and the Irish government want a return in 2027 or 2028, but the NFL has not announced one. It remains to be confirmed.
When would a 2027 Dublin game be announced?
Host cities are usually named around Super Bowl week in February, and matchups follow in May with the schedule release.
Was there an NFL game in Ireland in 2026?
No. The 2026 European slot went to Paris instead. Dublin's only regular-season game so far is the Steelers' 24-21 win over the Vikings on 28 September 2025.
How do I buy Croke Park NFL tickets?
Through Ticketmaster with a free NFL Ticketmaster account. In 2025 fans also registered interest on the NFL's Dublin page, and Hill 16 seats went through a separate ballot.
Which station is closest to Croke Park?
Drumcondra, on the Irish Rail commuter line, is about ten minutes on foot. Connolly station is around twenty minutes away.
Independent guide, not affiliated with UEFA, FIFA, CAF, AFC, Concacaf or the NFL. No official logos are used. Official tickets are sold by the organisers and clubs; some links on this site are affiliate links to resale platforms, whose prices may exceed face value.