As global enthusiasm grows for an international Super Bowl, the NFL is stressing that the championship will remain U.S.-based for the foreseeable future, even as it stages its first-ever regular-season game in Ireland.
NFL’s Stance on an International Super Bowl
The league continues to prioritize domestic Super Bowls due to their economic and cultural impact in the U.S. NFL EVP of club business Peter O’Reilly noted that the upcoming host sites are already locked in: the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Las Vegas, which hosted the 2024 Super Bowl, is in talks for a return in 2029. Looking further ahead, new stadium projects—including a planned Commanders facility in Washington, D.C.—could shape future bids in the 2030s.
Calls for an international Super Bowl resurfaced recently when former U.K. ambassador Peter Mandelson announced efforts to bring the game to London, echoing past comments from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. However, Mandelson’s dismissal from office and the NFL’s cautious approach have slowed momentum. The league is also not pursuing overseas editions of other marquee events such as the NFL Draft or Pro Bowl at this time.
Dublin Hosts Its First NFL Regular-Season Game
On Sunday, the Vikings and Steelers will meet at Dublin’s Croke Park, marking Ireland’s first regular-season NFL game. The contest is part of a record-setting seven-game international slate this season, which began in Brazil and will include multiple matchups in London, followed by games in Berlin and Madrid.
Ticket data for the Dublin matchup shows a unique split: roughly one-third of buyers are from Ireland, one-third from the U.S., and one-third from elsewhere in Europe. The Steelers, in particular, enjoy strong ties to Ireland through the Rooney family’s heritage and Dan Rooney’s past service as U.S. ambassador to the country.
Building Global Fandom
While a Super Bowl abroad remains unlikely in the near term, the NFL is investing heavily in international growth. Through its Global Markets Program and high-profile games in Europe and Latin America, the league is seeking to deepen fan engagement and broaden its reach—laying groundwork for future possibilities.
Bottom line: The NFL’s global expansion continues at a record pace, but for now, the Super Bowl will remain firmly on U.S. soil.