Croke Park stadium director Peter McKenna has said he is “really confident” that the NFL will return to Ireland in 2027 after missing out on a game this year.
Minnesota Vikings took on the Pittsburgh Steelers at the stadium last September with enormous interest in game from the Irish public.
Thousands of American fans flew in for the match, with the Irish government investing €9.95m, before VAT, into the event.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell poured cold water on hopes of an imminent return for the sport this year last week.
“We did have a wonderful time and I think both clubs had a great time and our fans had a spectacular time,” said Goodell.
“One of the things about that game that stands out to me is that it felt like the entire island was in support of this.
“That game had more people come from the States for an international game than any game in our history of the international series, and I think that’s a tribute to Ireland.
“We will be back, I would guess that will we be back in a few years. We’ve got to work with the officials on that and when that happens but I would expect that to happen and that’s our intention.”
However Croke Park boss McKenna said today that he has high hopes NFL will be back at the venue within the next two years for the 2027 regular season.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport at the event to mark the GAA’s annual report, McKenna said: “The [NFL game] was a huge fillip to the Irish economy.
“And to be fair, we got massive support from the government on that as well.
“The game that we were hoping for [this year] is going to go to Paris, but [we’re] really confident about getting games in 2027 and hopefully a few more before the decade runs out.”
McKenna said he couldn’t add any more on the subject as the NFL keep the information “guarded” and they haven’t been allocated anything yet.
The GAA reported a total revenue of €142m last year with the Croke Park Stadium generating €50.5m.
That was an increase €4.5m thanks to Oasis gigs and the NFL encounter.
McKenna said he expects another successful year for the venue to benefit the GAA’s coffers.
“In concerts we have The Weeknd and John Bon Jovi. There is a nice little package of activity this year coming up.
“To be fair to Live Nation and Denis Desmond, they have put us on the map, no doubt about that.
“2026 is going to be a good year. The fact The Weeknd can do two nights in Croke Park is massive. I think the point I’d really like to stress is how important these are to the Dublin economy. They really take so many people in with them.”