The Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings are set to play in the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Dublin, Ireland, as the league seeks to expand its global footprint. This historic matchup, scheduled for Sunday, marks a pivotal moment in the NFL’s efforts to broaden its international reach through live sporting events.
The game will be broadcast on the NFL Network, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET. Joe Davis will be the play-by-play announcer, with Greg Olsen in the booth as the game analyst. The event has generated significant anticipation among fans, especially as it represents the league’s commitment to bringing American football to new markets.
For the Vikings, Sunday marks the first of two consecutive games they will play abroad this season. The team will take on the Cleveland Browns in London in Week 5, further showcasing the NFL’s growing presence in Europe. Both teams enter the game with 2-1 records, having mirrored each other’s performances in the young season, with both winning in Week 1, losing in Week 2, and winning in Week 3.
Aaron Rodgers, in his first season with the Steelers, is familiar with the Vikings from his time with the Green Bay Packers. This matchup will be the 30th time in his career that he has faced the Vikings, adding a touch of history to the game. In three games with the Steelers, Rodgers has completed 65.1% of his passes for 586 yards, with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. His performance in the Steelers’ 21-14 win over the New England Patriots in Week 3 saw him pass former teammate Brett Favre to move into fourth all-time in passing touchdowns in NFL history.
The Vikings will start Carson Wentz for the second time this season following the injury to J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy sustained a high right ankle sprain in the team’s 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, and is expected to miss two to four weeks. This injury has opened the door for Wentz, who played well in the team’s 48-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, completing 14 of 20 pass attempts for 173 yards and two touchdowns.
As the NFL continues to expand its global presence, this game in Dublin represents not just a sporting event, but a strategic move to engage international audiences and promote the sport on an even larger scale. The league’s efforts to host games outside the United States are part of a broader initiative to increase viewership and fan base in key international markets.