The Minnesota Vikings are gearing up for a landmark event in the NFL calendar as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin this September. This game marks the first regular-season NFL match to be held in Ireland, and it promises to be a spectacle for both seasoned fans and newcomers to the sport.

Star Power in Dublin Head coach Kevin O'Connell is confident that the Vikings will showcase some of the best talent in the league, particularly highlighting wide receiver Justin Jefferson. "Justin Jefferson, if fans don't know about him yet, they certainly will very soon," O'Connell stated. "Getting the opportunity to see the best wide receiver on the planet in my opinion is a great start to getting to know the Minnesota Vikings, as well as a whole lot of great players on our offence and our defence."

Historic Venue The game will be held at Croke Park, a venue steeped in history and significance. O'Connell expressed his excitement about the opportunity to play at such a renowned location. "I've already learned in a short space of time many aspects of what makes Croke Park so special and an amazing venue to have the opportunity to play at and I know our players will feel the same way," he added.

International Exposure This match is part of a broader initiative to expand the NFL's international presence, with a record seven international games scheduled for 2025. Following their Dublin appearance, the Vikings will head to London to face the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Irish Connections The trip to Dublin holds special significance for O'Connell and quarterback JJ McCarthy, both of whom have Irish ancestry. "My family is very excited about getting an opportunity to visit Ireland. I've never been before and it's been something that I've very much been looking forward to getting an opportunity to do," O'Connell shared.

Building New Fans O'Connell is hopeful that this historic game will help build a new fan base for the Vikings in Ireland. "It'll be a short time comparatively speaking but we're going to try and make the most of it and look forward to building relationships and hopefully acquiring some new Minnesota Vikings fans along the way," he said.

Looking Ahead With the Vikings' impressive 14-3 record last season and the promising talent of JJ McCarthy, this game is set to be a thrilling encounter. Fans in Dublin and beyond can look forward to a high-octane match that will showcase the best of American football.