Former NFL star backs calls for regular-season game in Ireland

Former NFL star Jason Bell has backed calls for the league to come to Ireland.

The Aviva Stadium in Dublin has hosted a number of College Football events in recent years, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suggested last weekend that a regular-season NFL game could come to these shores.

With the NFL ever expanding globally, Goodell is in Germany for the matchup between the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants, and it now looks increasingly like American Football will be brought to Irish shores next year.

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Speaking at a NFL match in Germany, Goodell confirmed the NFL will return to London and Germany for the 2025 season, as well as Spain, Brazil, and Mexico City.

But Goodell also added that Dublin remains a serious possibility if they get the go-ahead for eight international games.

And former NFL cornerback and current pundit Bell, agreeing with Goodell, believes that Ireland would be an ideal venue.

Speaking to 888sport, Bell said: “It’s time for the NFL to expand to Ireland. The market is there and the fans want it to happen, that’s the main thing. The relationship between the U.S. and Ireland is a strong one, especially when you look back at the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers and their owner.

“It needs to happen. The NFL is growing around the world and it has to go to marketplaces where the culture and the people will accept it. Ireland has its hand out, so if they don’t go and play there now, then what does that say about what they think about the country as a marketplace?

“Ireland deserves to have the NFL coming over. The fans there are so passionate and I think it’ll be a special place for the NFL. Germany has its own unique culture which you really feel when you go there, and I think Ireland will have the same effect. I love their culture and the people, so I personally can’t wait to see it happen.

“Not only will it have local support but, given the links between the U.S. and Ireland, think about how many people will travel over for it. Whatever team it is that travels over there, it’ll be an exciting experience for them.”

One of the big obstacles for the International Games is having willing participants; although the NFL mandates such decisions, the process runs a lot smoother when teams are onside with leaving the country.

Thankfully for Dublin, the Pittsburgh Steelers are more than keen to host a game, with Croke Park a likely destination. The Rooney family, who own the Pennsylvania-based franchise, selected Ireland as one of their bases for the NFL's Global Markets Programme and have invested a lot of time and money into the venture.

The Steelers have hosted numerous PR events in Croke Park and multiple sold-out watch parties. During these events, the franchise has been vocal about their desire to bring a game to Irish shores.

Given its capacity, Croke Park seems to be a desirable venue to host a game, although there will be stock put into the Aviva Stadium's running of College Football events in recent years.

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