Croke Park capacity to be cut but historic NFL game big in every sense
Talks between the GAA and NFL regarding the consumption of alcohol in spectator areas at Croke Park are said to have been "positive". Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Croke Park’s capacity will be limited to somewhere in the region of 76,000 for September’s historic NFL fixture, with the Hill 16 terrace due to be converted into seating for the regular-season meeting of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings.
The stadium’s nominal capacity stretches past 82,000 but the conversion of The Hill, allied to issues around sightlines for NFL games where the sidelines are so crowded, will reduce that number significantly for a September 28th game that is already in hot demand.
Organisers have already noted a larger interest in tickets from US-based fans compared to other foreign games. The breakdown is coming in roughly as one-third American, one-third Irish and the remainder from Europe.
Pricing will mirror that for ‘International Series’ games held in London where the cheapest tickets have come in at close to €100, but with the cost rising markedly from there. And London has hosted games since 2007, this is a first for Ireland.
The NFL Network will broadcast the Dublin game although discussions are ongoing with Irish broadcasters with a view to showing the contest live in the domestic market. Again, this has happened with London games.
Another issue fans will be keen to know about is alcohol. The GAA does not permit the consumption of alcohol in spectator areas at Croke Park. That rule held last year when Leinster and Northampton Saints played there in the Champions Cup.
However, Henry Hodgson, general manager of the NFL’s UK and Irish office, revealed that talks are happening and that the feedback has been “positive”. There are also plans being drawn up for fan zones and other ‘activations’.
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This is by far the smallest international market that the NFL will have graced with its presence. The other six international games in the 2025 season, for example, will be played in Sao Paulo, London (3), Berlin and Madrid.
“There are a few factors,” said Hodgson at the Dublin Castle announcement, “First of all, in terms of population, it is smaller than other markets we could go into, but in terms of passion for NFL fans, we saw that and heard that.
“The next two biggest factors are the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Rooney family [who own the franchise] and their connection to Ireland and wanting to bring the game back in terms of their heritage.
“And then the tremendous support we have had from the government, the city here in Dublin and from Croke Park and the GAA. What we have seen is that globally, this is something Ireland is renowned for, and we saw that clearly.”
That “support” amounts to almost €10m of money from the State and city coffers, which will pay for everything from a licence fee, security, transport and other associated costs to do with the venue. This stuff doesn’t come cheap.
“It is the process we use in all the cities we go into around the world, but it is important to underscore that it is not the only investment,” said Hodgson. “Teams are making a significant investment to bring the game here.
“The NFL is making a significant investment, so it is part of the process, but what we can see in terms of the cities we go into, what that investment looks like, in terms of economic impact, direct and indirect, the social impact etc…”
Well, this sort of stuff is unquantifiable, really, but it doesn’t stop people declaring numbers with NFL games in other markets offering estimates of economic worth from €85m in Munich’s case to €120-130m for the London games.
A figure of up to €180m was calculated by Grant Thornton in 2023 when the Emerald Isle Classic college game between Notre Dame and Navy happened at the Aviva Stadium where the attendance is capped at just over 51,000. So who knows?
Hodgson played a straight bat when asked if this would be a one-off or something we might see here every couple of years but competition for these games is stiff. The Steelers have the same marketing rights in Mexico where they have a huge fan base, for instance.
The Estadio Azteca there is currently undergoing reconstruction work for the 2026 FIFA World Cup so that makes all sorts of sense for Steeler Nation to go there. For now, it’s all eyes on Dublin and a mouth-watering match-up.
No team has won more Super Bowls than Pittsburgh’s six and their already significant Irish fan base is currently on tenterhooks to see whether Aaron Rodgers, one of the greatest ever and most high-profile quarterbacks, will suit up for them in the 2025 season.
The Vikings went 14-3 under coach Kevin O’Connell last time around before also falling short in the playoffs, but they will have first-round draft pick JJ McCarthy fit this time and hooking up with Justin Jefferson, one of the league’s best wide receivers and biggest stars.
This will be big, in every sense.
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