Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell couldn’t hide his enthusiasm as he discussed the upcoming NFL game in Dublin announced yesterday.

His team will make history as part of the first-ever regular-season NFL matchup held in Ireland, taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park on Sunday 28th September.

Read more from the Game Announcement here

“To be the first, in such a wonderful place like Dublin with its amazing sports culture – it’s a huge deal,” O’Connell told a media gathering via satellite at Dublin Castle.

The Vikings will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in September, followed by another international game in London the week after.

While the back-to-back overseas games pose logistical challenges, O’Connell sees opportunity.

“It almost feels like a training camp trip,” he said. “You’re together as a team, away from distractions, and it’s a great way to build camaraderie.”

O’Connell, whose surname and family history have Irish roots, has never been to Ireland.

“My family’s very excited,” he shared. “It’s something I’ve always looked forward to. I didn’t know it would be with my football team, but what a way to experience it.”

The Vikings are no strangers to international play, having won games in London in both 2022 and 2023. That experience, O’Connell believes, will be key.

“We’ve built out great travel routines and player support systems,” he said. “The challenge now is doing it two weeks in a row.”

Still, he emphasised that every aspect of the trip, from preparation to local cultural engagement, matters. “We absolutely want to learn about Croke Park’s history and Irish traditions. We’d be missing out if we didn’t embrace that.”

Asked what Irish fans new to the sport can expect, O’Connell offered a compelling pitch: “It’s physical. It’s strategic. Every play is a five-to-eight second burst of drama. You might not be used to the start-stop rhythm, but once you lock in, it’s electric.”

And if local fans need a star to follow, the Vikings have them. “Justin Jefferson is the best receiver in the league. If Irish fans don’t know him now, they will after this game.”

Looking ahead, he said the team will finalise logistics during a planning trip in six weeks. He’s also open to taking lessons from other franchises like Jacksonville, which has experience with multi-week international trips.

Despite the travel and complexity, O’Connell made one thing clear: “This is not just a game, it’s a historic moment. We’re proud to be part of it.”

 

Further Reading for Sport for Business members:

Check out Sport for Business coverage of the NFL in Dublin

 

SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

Watching US Sports coaches going through their paces is a lesson in professionalism and knowing their audience.  O’Connell is a multi-millionaire from his success as a head coach in a world where there are only 32 of them, and yet he is down to earth, genuinely interested in listening as well as talking and will be a great ambassador for the game.

WHAT’S UP NEXT?

Details of tickets going on sale are around seven to ten days away.

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