NFL introduces a new global market partnership for the Jaguars
In December 2021, the NFL announced a global partnership between its franchises and various international markets. As predicted, Jacksonville, a yearly mainstay in London, was partnered with the United Kingdom. Add another country to the list. The Jaguars were named as a global market partner with the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday. Jacksonville has only played […]
In December 2021, the NFL announced a global partnership between its franchises and various international markets. As predicted, Jacksonville, a yearly mainstay in London, was partnered with the United Kingdom.
Add another country to the list. The Jaguars were named as a global market partner with the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday.
Jacksonville has only played overseas in England, where they are playing back-to-back games this fall against the Falcons and Bills, so it's a very close expansion that will help spread the team's popularity through the British Isles.
And for fans traveling overseas to see the team play, it's a chance for something new. Ireland boasts a few stadiums that would potentially be suitable for an NFL game, but Croke Park and Aviva Stadium in Dublin appear to be far and away the most likely locations.
Croke Park is one of Europe's largest stadiums with a capacity of 82,300. As the NFL has showcased its games in the biggest stadiums possible in London, Munich, Mexico City, etc., it seems likely that would be the league's top choice and the Jaguars' "host" destination. And yes, the NFL has been there once before, as the Steelers and Bears faced off at Croke Park in a 1997 preseason game.
However, it's possible that the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) could stay true its Rule 42, which prohibits playing non-GAA games in GAA stadiums. It waived it a couple of times before in the 1990s for the aforementioned Steelers-Bears preseason game and Notre Dame-Navy. However, it's not currently clear if that permission would be provided for routine NFL games to take place.
If Croke Park isn't on the table, Aviva Stadium is another option, which has a capacity of 51,700 and is the home of the Irish national soccer team. Nebraska and Northwestern faced off there in August 2022, and the stadium regularly hosts soccer and rugby matches there. Either way, it seems likely that Dublin will be the city in Ireland where the games will be played.
In any event, it will be a welcome change for many Jaguars fans who have been ready for the team to put its focus on anywhere other than London.
