Aer Lingus Signs 4-Year Partnership with Pittsburgh Steelers as NFL to Debut in Dublin

Aer Lingus has unveiled plans for a new four-year partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of America’s most storied and successful football teams.

This agreement comes as the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to play a regular season NFL game in Ireland later this year – the first time a senior NFL game has been played here.

Aer Lingus will serve as the presenting partner of Steelers Ireland 2025 which will be a year that includes the Steelers playing a regular season game at Croke Park. This agreement will also establish Aer Lingus as an Official Airline Partner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, a Founding Partner of Steelers Ireland, and the Official Airline Partner of Steelers Ireland. 

Building on its history of supporting American football in Ireland, Aer Lingus will also co-present the Steelers’ Ireland Youth Football Development programme, aiming to grow the sport at the grassroots level.

Susanne Carberry, Aer Lingus Chief Customer Officer, said: “The Pittsburgh Steelers are a cornerstone of American football, and Aer Lingus is proud to commence an exciting new partnership that bridges both sides of the Atlantic.

“This collaboration strengthens Aer Lingus’ position as a dedicated supporter of American football in Ireland, Europe, and beyond.

“As an airline that connects people, places and possibilities, we eagerly anticipate welcoming many Steelers supporters as they travel to Ireland to cheer on their team and to explore Europe. We extend a warm welcome to the Rooney family, the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organisation, and their devoted fanbase as we embark on this exciting journey together.”

“The opportunity for the Pittsburgh Steelers to play in Ireland is truly special, not only because of the Rooney family history there, but also to play in front of the growing number of Steelers fans in Ireland,” said Steelers president, Art Rooney II. “We’re excited to partner with Aer Lingus to make this historic game a success and to continue strengthen ties between Pittsburgh and Ireland.”

Aer Lingus’ growth in North America continues in 2025 as the airline prepares to fly to two new US destinations – Nashville and Indianapolis– using its new Airbus A321 XLR aircraft. This brings the number of transatlantic routes operated by the airline from Manchester, Dublin and Shannon to 24.

Aer Lingus boasts a strong regional presence near Pittsburgh, with strategic hubs in Cleveland and Philadelphia. Aer Lingus continues to develop its Dub Hub strategy, whereby customers flying through Dublin Airport with the airline can connect seamlessly to destinations across Europe, including Berlin, Munich, Paris, Amsterdam and Rome. As always, customers flying through Ireland to the United States with Aer Lingus can enjoy US preclearance in Dublin and Shannon airports.

Aer Lingus has been a proud supporter of College Football since 2016, when the first ever Aer Lingus College Football Classic took place. Since 2022, the event – held on Week Zero of the College Football calendar – has been a regular fixture at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, bringing teams and supporters from across America to Ireland. In 2027, the University of Pittsburgh’s Pitt Panthers will be the home team taking on rivals Wisconsin in an exciting matchup.