PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Pittsburgh Steelers may have just received a subtle hint at who their opponent could be in Dublin, Ireland. As the NFL briefed the media on their happenings for the international campaign of the 2025 season, which includes the Steelers’ game at Croke Park, they revealed the Green Bay Packers will have international marketing rights in Ireland.
While that does not guarantee the Packers will be the Steelers’ opponent despite being rumored, it throws some smoke in their direction. The NFL is excited to have a game in Dublin for the first time in a regular-season capacity.
The NFL’s Peter O’Reilly said the date and opponent would be announced after the NFL Draft but before the schedule release in May.
Sources tell PennLive that the game is expected to be played on September 28, which would be Week 4. Since the Steelers will have nine home games, 2025 will be a year where they can go internationally and play. Ireland has remained a key area for the Rooney family, and former team president Dan Rooney was the Ambassador to Ireland under Barack Obama.
Pittsburgh has not played an international game since 2013 when they played the Minnesota Vikings in London. Team president Art Rooney II says the team is delighted to play in Ireland.
Mike Tomlin says he was pumped to play overseas.
"I know I’m really excited about it, to be quite honest with you, because I just think about the late, great Ambassador Rooney and how fired up he would be about it. It makes me smile when I think about it. It’s an honor to represent our game and our country over there, and I look forward to doing so," Tomlin said.
Pittsburgh has international marketing rights in Ireland, Germany, and Mexico. It is likely they will play in all three countries at some point.
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