Historic NFL game in Ireland: Steelers vs Vikings in Dublin

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings will meet Sunday at Croke Park in Dublin in the first National Football League regular season game ever held in Ireland, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local time, 9:30 a.m. Eastern. Organizers expect about 76,000 spectators, including more than 20,000 traveling from the United States and a similar number from elsewhere in Europe, while thousands of local fans have also secured tickets.

The league has staged an extensive slate of events around the game, including an Official NFL Shop at St Stephen's Green, an NFL Experience at Dublin Castle where fans can try flag football and field goals, and a Super Bowl gallery displaying the Lombardi Trophy and all 59 Super Bowl rings at Dublin City Hall. Teams have also organized local gatherings: the Steelers will run a multi-day tailgate in Merrion Square Park and maintain a shop on Clarendon Street, while designated team pubs and takeover events for the Vikings, Chiefs and Packers are scheduled across the city. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is in Dublin and is due to take part in a question and answer session at Whelans alongside Steelers owner Art Rooney II and former players Jerome...