NFL Dublin Game Delivers €104.5m Economic Boost to Ireland

New research commissioned by Fáilte Ireland and conducted by BDO Ireland has revealed that the 2025 NFL Dublin game at Croke Park delivered a significant €104.5 million economic impact for Ireland. The event, held on 28 September 2025 and featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Minnesota Vikings, drew a sell-out crowd of 74,512 attendees.

Key findings from the study:

  • Diverse Attendance: 37% of ticket holders travelled from the United States, 33% were Irish residents, and 30% represented other international markets.
  • Global Exposure: The game achieved a US television audience of 9.2 million live unique viewers, highlighting its international reach.
  • Direct Spend: Of the total impact, €76.8 million was attributed to direct expenditure on accommodation, food and beverage, retail, transport, and event operations.
  • Multiplier Effect: An additional €27.7 million resulted from indirect and induced economic activity across the Irish economy.
  • Fiscal Return: The analysis showed that every €1 of public funding generated €2.24 in tax receipts for the Exchequer, underlining a robust fiscal return.

The comprehensive economic assessment was based on data from attendance figures, visitor spend, length of stay, hotel occupancy, operational costs, and attendee surveys, supplemented by information from Fáilte Ireland and the Central Statistics Office.

How can BDO help your business?