The Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs have both been granted marketing rights in Ireland as part of the NFL's Global Markets Program (GMP).
The Irish marketing rights were announced yesterday, March 31 in an update from the NFL.
In addition to Ireland, the Green Bay Packers now have international marketing rights in Germany and the UK.
The Kansas City Chiefs had their existing international marketing rights expanded to include Ireland, Spain, and the UK.
While the Kansas City Chiefs were already a part of the GMP, the Green Bay Packers are one of four new clubs that have been added to the program this year.
The two NFL teams join the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets as having marketing rights in Ireland.
Additionally, the Pittsburgh Steelers - who are set to play in Croke Park this autumn - have marketing rights on the island of Ireland.
Announcing the expansion of the NFL’s Global Markets Program for 2025!
29 teams across 21 international markets now have access to grow their fan bases around the world and build their brands globally in the fourth year of the program. pic.twitter.com/hnzf8hrDpD
— NFL (@NFL) March 31, 2025
Launched in 2022, the Global Markets Program awards NFL clubs international marketing rights to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the US, through fan engagement, events, commercial opportunities, and NFL Flag development.
In total, 29 clubs will participate in the program across 21 international markets - up from 25 clubs across 19 markets in 2024 - as the NFL says it continues to prioritize global growth and connecting with more fans across markets around the world.
"The expansion of the Global Markets Program in 2025 reflects the NFL's continued focus to grow the game and connect with fans on a global scale," said NFL Executive Vice President, Club Business, Major Events & International Peter O'Reilly.
"With more clubs entering the program and existing clubs adding to their global rights, and as the program expands to new markets, we are seeing strong momentum and impact in growing fandom worldwide together."
The announcement of the expansion of the NFL's GMP has triggered some speculation as to who will play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin's Croke Park this year.
In February, the NFL confirmed that it will play its first-ever regular season game in Dublin, Ireland later this year.
The Pittsburgh Steelers - which have longstanding connections to Ireland through the Rooney family - will play as the designated team in the historic game at Dublin's Croke Park, the home of the GAA.
The sporting event will be hosted in partnership with the Government of Ireland and Dublin City Council.
Who will play the Steelers in Dublin, as well as when, will be announced by the NFL when the 2025 NFL schedule is revealed this spring.
Meanwhile, two Irish athletes - Mark McNamee and Ross Bolger, who both have backgrounds in GAA - have been named to the NFL's International Player Pathway program Class of 2025.
Established in 2017, the IPP program aims to provide elite international athletes with the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately work to earn a spot on an NFL roster.
Charlie Smyth, a former goalkeeper with Down GAA, secured a place on the New Orleans Saints practice squad via the IPP program in 2024.
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