Pittsburgh Steelers fans gathered in force in Dublin on Saturday night as the franchise hosted its official 2026 NFL Draft Party, presented by Ticketmaster, at Kennedy’s Pub & Restaurant.
The event brought together a passionate local fanbase to celebrate Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, with live coverage, music, food, giveaways and a strong sense of community reflecting the growing presence of the NFL in Ireland.
A highlight of the evening was the appearance of former Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace, who met fans, signed autographs and shared stories from his own draft experience and time in Pittsburgh. Drafted in 2009, Wallace offered a first-hand perspective on life in the NFL and the significance of the Draft as a career milestone.
The night was hosted by Tommy Martin of Virgin Media alongside Mark Hogan, with analysis from former former Dublin GAA star and Shelbourne FC CEO Tomás Quinn and Stephanie Zambra, who guided fans through the Steelers’ selections and prospects for the season ahead.
On the field, the Steelers used their first-round pick to select offensive lineman Max Iheanachor from Arizona State, as they look to strengthen their roster ahead of the new campaign.
The Draft itself, a three-day, seven-round process involving all 32 NFL teams, took place this year in Pittsburgh, further adding to the sense of occasion for fans following events from afar.
Saturday’s gathering underlined the strength of the Steelers’ Irish following, building on momentum generated by their participation in the NFL’s first regular season game in Ireland at Croke Park last year.
That game represented a landmark moment for American football in Ireland and reinforced the franchise’s long-standing ties to the country, rooted in the Rooney family’s heritage in Newry, County Down. The late Dan Rooney was instrumental in developing that connection, helping to establish a lasting relationship between the Steelers and Ireland.
As Ireland continues to be a strategic international market for the NFL, with Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan meeting with NFL Uk and Ireland in London last week, fan-focused events like this Draft Party are playing an increasingly important role in building engagement, strengthening community ties and sustaining the growth of the game at a local level.
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Image Credit: Pittsburgh Steelers
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