Leo Moore

The Pittsburgh Steelers — whose president, Art Rooney II, has family links to Newry, Co Down — are set to take the field at Croke Park in 2025 as the league continues to expand its global footprint and take the game to new audiences around the world.

William Fry partner and technology head Leo Moore, an expert in commercial sports contracts, has been advising the NFL alongside associates Laura Casey and Jordie Sattar.

“Our team are happy to be working alongside Evan Ray and the NFL legal team on this exciting project,” the firm wrote on LinkedIn.

Peter O’Reilly, executive vice president of international, league events and club business at the NFL, said: “We are delighted to officially bring a regular-season NFL game to Ireland as part of our 2025 International Games slate.

“Both the NFL and the Steelers franchise have deep roots and history in Ireland, and we’re looking forward to making our regular-season debut in Dublin, bringing our game to a large and passionate Irish fan base and underlining the NFL’s commitment to global growth.”

Ireland’s sports minister Patrick O’Donovan hailed the NFL’s announcement as “a major vote of confidence in Ireland’s ability to host world-class events and in Dublin’s reputation as one of the most welcoming cities in the world”.

“Hosting a regular season NFL game in 2025 will have huge benefits for Irish tourism, the wider economy, and our sports ecosystem,” he added.

“It will also build upon the deep cultural, family and economic ties between Ireland and the United States.”

Charlie McConalogue, the minister of state with responsibility for sports, said: “Ireland has already established itself as a key overseas home for American college football with the established success of the annual College Classic every August.

“Bringing the NFL to Dublin is a logical and natural next step and builds on the growing engagement among Irish sports fans with all forms of American football.

“It also builds on the deep relationships between Ireland and the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Rooney family, and I hope that the Rooneys and the Steelers Nation will feel like they’re coming home when they arrive in Ireland.”