Mike Tomlin 'excited' about taking Steelers to Ireland; opponent, date remains undertermined

PALM BEACH, Fla. — The NFL updated its list of teams that have secured — and, in some cases, expanded upon — their global marketing rights ahead of the 2025 season.

It did not provide any clarity on the date or opponent for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ international game in Ireland.

The Steelers will play in Europe for the first time since a 2013 meeting against the Minnesota Vikings in London. Preliminary indications are the game will be played Sept. 28 at Croke Park in Dublin. The opponent for the NFL’s inaugural game in Ireland remains undetermined, according to NFL executive Peter O’Reilly.

Reilly said an announcement should come in May after completion of the draft.

“It will be in and around the (entire) schedule release,” Reilly said Monday. “If not in that window of the schedule release, right prior to that. It’s important to look at all the factors and get the best possible schedule out there.”

Coach Mike Tomlin is enthused about making another trip overseas. His inaugural one didn’t go well, as the Steelers dropped a 34-27 decision to the Vikings a dozen years ago.

“I know I’m really excited about it,” he said. “I think about the late, great Ambassador (Dan) 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.”

The Steelers were not part of the global marketing rights program that was expanded Monday. The franchise will continue to hold marketing rights in Germany and Mexico as well as Ireland.

Four teams were added to the marketing deal: Baltimore (United Kingdom), Green Bay (Germany, United Kingdom and Germany), Los Angeles Chargers (Greece) and Washington Commanders (United Arab Emirates). Greece and the UAE were new markets added to the agreement, increasing the number of countries to 21 and number of NFL teams involved to 29.