The NFL will conduct a feasibility study this summer around the possibility of playing games in Dublin, the NFL UK's General Manager Henry Hodgson has said.
On Wednesday, the NFL confirmed details of three matches to take place in London during the 2024 regular season, with Tottenham Hotspur Stadium set to host the New York Jets v the Minnesota Vikings and the Jacksonville Jaguars v the Chicago Bears.
Wembley will be the setting for the New England Patriots v the Jacksonville Jaguars, while the Allianz Arena in Munich will host the New York Giants against the Carolina Panthers.
Sao Paulo is also down for a game this year, and Madrid next year, something which bodes well for hopes of other overseas markets being opened in due course.
Speaking with Pro Football Ireland, Hodgson opened the door for games to be played in Dublin, having been impressed by how well both the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park have hosted NFL events in the past.
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NFL to conduct feasibility study on Dublin games
"Dublin is absolutely one of the cities that we are looking at as part of our process this summer," he said.
"We know a lot about the stadia, actually we did a feasibility study not too long ago because this is what the NFL is doing behind the scenes a lot anyway.
"Four or five years ago, I know that there was a visit to Dublin just to see what was happening there. It will be our operational folks, some of our leadership team and we will be in Dublin and checking those boxes.
"I think we know a lot about the stadiums. The Aviva has hosted college football games on an annual basis and does a fantastic job with that.
"Croke Park has hosted NFL pre-season games before and I know it's a historic and amazing venue having had the chancw to spend some time there recently."
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While nothing is cast in stone, the NFL's enthusiasm about bringing matches to Dublin is sure to excite American football fans across the country.
A game taking place in Dublin in 2025 has been flagged for some time, with the Pittsburgh Steelers launching their Irish endeavour at Croke Park last year. As part of the NFL's Global Market Programme, NFL teams gain access to international markets in order to build fan engagement and activities, and the Steelers were paired up with Ireland.
Something else that will please them is the announcement that Netflix will be streaming the NFL’s two Christmas Day marquee games this year, and at least one on Christmas Day in 2025 and 2026 as part of a three-year deal.
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