Dublin Left Off NFL’s 2026 International Calendar Despite Croke Park Success
Ireland will not feature on the NFL’s expanding global schedule next season, commissioner Roger Goodell has confirmed – though he insists the league’s transatlantic love affair with Dublin is far from over.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Super Bowl in Santa Clara, California, Goodell delivered the news many Irish fans had been dreading while simultaneously promising a future return.
“The absolute answer is we will be back,” Goodell stated. “I would guess in a few years. We’ve got to work with the officials on that, but that’s our intention.”
Croke Park’s Big Day Still Resonating
The confirmation comes less than a year after the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park during the 2025 season – a landmark occasion that represented the culmination of years of groundwork. The Steelers had leveraged their Irish marketing rights to stage fan events across the country, gradually building anticipation before delivering a full regular-season fixture.
The Irish government invested nearly €10 million to help secure the match, and by all accounts the gamble paid off in terms of spectacle and atmosphere.
Goodell’s recollection was glowing. “We did have a wonderful time. Both clubs had a great time. Our fans had a spectacular time – it felt like the entire island was in support of this.”
NFL’s Most Ambitious International Season Yet
While Dublin sits out a cycle, the league is pushing its global footprint further than ever. The 2026 season will feature a record eight games played outside the United States across six countries and three continents.
London retains its established three-game allocation, while Munich continues as Germany’s host venue. Beyond those familiar destinations, the schedule ventures into genuinely new territory: Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, and Melbourne will all stage NFL action, with the French and Australian cities welcoming the sport for the very first time.
When Might Dublin Return?
Goodell’s language – “a few years” rather than anything more specific – suggests 2027 at the earliest, with plenty of logistical and financial negotiations still required between the league and Irish authorities.
The gap may prove frustrating for fans who experienced the electric atmosphere at Croke Park, but Dublin’s absence from next year’s roster appears to reflect scheduling logistics rather than any cooling of enthusiasm. With the NFL clearly committed to rotating through an ever-growing list of international venues, competition for hosting rights is only intensifying.
Ireland’s challenge will be ensuring it remains near the front of that queue when the next cycle of fixtures is allocated.
