The Minnesota Vikings will make history in the NFL by being the first team to play consecutive international games in different countries during the 2025 season.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, revealed the international game schedule, highlighting that the Vikings will face the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 28 at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. This match will mark the league’s first regular season game in that country.
Subsequently, the Vikings will travel to England to face the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on October 5.
Playing the first NFL game in Ireland is an opportunity to introduce the Minnesota Vikings to new fans and help the league make American football more accessible globally. Facing a franchise with as much history as the Pittsburgh Steelers adds a unique challenge that makes this even more special. We are honored to have been selected for this historic game and are eager to see what promises to be an electrifying atmosphere on game day at Croke Park.
Mark Wilf, Vikings Owner
The Vikings will play as visitors in both international games. Previously, Minnesota has played four regular season games in London, winning all of them, including last season’s victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against the New York Jets.
Our experiences in London have always been memorable, so returning in 2025 as the first team to play consecutive international games in different countries was something we couldn’t refuse. UK fans have a history of support and acceptance towards the Minnesota Vikings, creating what often feels like a home field environment, and we look forward to seeing that again in 2025.
Mark Wilf, Vikings owner
An advantage for the Vikings is that they will avoid playing at Heinz Field, where they have never won, and in Cleveland, where they have only one win since 1989.
The first international game of the 2025 season will be played on September 5 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where the Los Angeles Chargers will face an opponent yet to be announced.
After the match between the Vikings and the Browns on October 5, the NFL will have two more games in London in consecutive weeks: the Jets will face the Denver Broncos on October 12 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the Los Angeles Rams will play against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 19 at Wembley Stadium.
The NFL will also return to Germany on November 9, when the Atlanta Falcons play the Indianapolis Colts at the Olympiastadion Berlin, in the league’s first regular season game in that city. The NFL has played games in Munich and Frankfurt since the 2022 season.
The international calendar will conclude on November 16, when the Washington Commanders face the Miami Dolphins at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, in the first NFL regular season game in Spain.
