Steelers Set For Ireland Clash As Vikings See Big Advantage Abroad

The Pittsburgh Steelers' opponent for their upcoming abroad game this season has been revealed to be the Minnesota Vikings. The matchup will be the first NFL regular season matchup in Ireland, and the Steelers' second game against the Vikings abroad. The last time both Pittsburgh and Minnesota faced off in Europe was in London, England, in 2013. The Vikings won that game, and the Steelers haven't played an international game since. In Ireland, the Steelers will look to avenge their loss in London. 

With neither team having home-field advantage, it may seem like anyone's game. However, Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell said he feels Minnesota may benefit from playing the Steelers overseas.

After playing the Steelers in Ireland, the Vikings will then face the Cleveland Browns in London the following week. On Tuesday, O'Connell spoke to the UK media, and was asked why the Vikings would be so willing to play two overseas games back-to-back. O'Connell said that aside from the chance to promote the Vikings brand, he felt that both the Steelers and Browns had intense crowds at their own stadiums, and that playing them in a neutral location would take away that home-field advantage. 

"From a football side of it, both opponents that we'll play, they both have very high-quality home atmospheres in their home stadiums here in the United States," said O'Connell. "We'll get to play them not at their stadium. It's a tough division, the AFC North, just like the NFC North. So we've found that to be a potential bonus for our team." 

Playing at a neutral location can be a double-edged sword. Although your opponents will be without their home crowd supporting them, so will you. In the Vikings case, they seem to be viewing it as an acceptable trade-off. 

Since the Steelers' first game abroad against the Vikings, Minnesota has gone on to play lots more games in Europe. Both the Steelers and the Vikings are a part of the NFL Global Markets Program. 

According to the NFL, the Global Markets Program is dedicated to promoting the game of American football and building NFL brand awareness abroad. 

"Launched in 2022, the Global Markets Program awards NFL clubs international marketing rights to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the U.S., through fan engagement, events, commercial opportunities, and NFL Flag development," reads the program's web page.

The Steelers have been awarded marketing rights in Germany, Mexico, but most importantly, Ireland, and for a good reason. The owners of the Steelers, the Rooney family, immigrated from Ireland, and the team still has deep ties to the country. Steelers' late Chairman Dan Rooney served as the United States Ambassador to Ireland from 2009-2012, and also co-founded The Ireland Funds.

Although the Steelers will have to play without as many fans as they would have in Pittsburgh, their ties to Ireland are deeper than many realize. The Steelers can likely look forward to a warm welcome upon arriving in Dublin.

Steelers Are Becoming Part Of The NFL's Push For More Games Abroad

The NFL played give games abroad in the 2024 season, the most out of any season before it, and the push for games to be played in other countries isn't slowing down anytime soon. The Steelers have always been an old school organization that is built around tradition. Playing in Ireland, a country the team has deep ties to, is the most likely way the Steelers would have agreed to play abroad. 

Should the Steelers find success in Ireland this year, it could be the beginning of a greater presence for Pittsburgh abroad, but that remains to be seen.

Do you think the Vikings will have an advantage against the Steelers by playing them in a neutral location? Do you think the atmosphere will benefit either team, or will it cancel out? Let us know in the comments.

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