Dublin will not host NFL international game in 2026, league confirms

The Croke Park game last year was a massive success.

Last September, the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers went head to head in a sold-out Croke Park with Steelers triumphing 24-21.

Thousands of American fans flew to Ireland for the game, with the Irish government investing €9.95m into the event.

Despite the success of the game, at a press conference ahead of this weekend's Super Bowl, NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, confirmed that Dublin would miss out on a fixture this year.

Irish NFL journalist, Michael McQuaid, questioned whether there were plans for a return this summer, Goodell said no, however, he did hold out hope that they would return in the future.

Goodell explained: "We did have a wonderful time and I think both clubs had a great time and our fans had a spectacular time.

"One of the things about that game that stands out to me is that it felt like the entire island was in support of this."

He continued: "That game had more people come from the States for an international game than any game in our history of the international series, and I think that's a tribute to Ireland.

"We will be back, I would guess that we will be back in a few years. We’ve got to work with the officials on that and when that happens but I would expect that to happen and that’s our intention."

Nine international games have been announced for this year including Madrid, Munich, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Melbourne, and three in London.

The NFL Commissioner further revealed that his long-term plan is to have 16 international games every year, meaning each of the 32 NFL teams would travel abroad for a game every season.

"I've said many times 16 games, so that every team is playing a regular season game every season," he stated.

"I think that’s an important mark for us to go for. I think we’re well on our way, with the desire we have from our side, but also the desire for people to have this in their communities, and some of the greatest cities in the world are asking to do this."