Week four of the NFL season will see the first game ever played in Europe. It’s a first, as there has never been a regular season game in Ireland before. But in the run-up to the game, external circumstances are causing discontent among fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are set to face the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin.

The first NFL regular season game in Ireland was supposed to be a celebration for all football fans. But there is tension in the air at the Pittsburgh Steelers. The anger is directed at the league.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the team originally wanted to travel to Dublin early in the week in order to prepare optimally. But the NFL refused. Both teams are supposed to arrive at the same time.

The reason? Unclear. According to the report, the NFL may be concerned about equal opportunity. But the Steelers and Vikings played their last game at the same time, so if Minnesota had also wanted to arrive early, this would have been possible.

For fans who are already keen to direct their anger at the NFL, this is grist to the mill. After the Steelers were initially the target of criticism, the frustration of many fans is now directed at the league itself. The decision is being sharply criticized on social media.

The Steelers wanted to leave for Ireland early this week. The NFL said no. https://t.co/0zv6kXhgqL

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) September 23, 2025

The frustration of Steelers fans has a background: Back in 2013, the team traveled to London for a game on Thursday – with disastrous consequences. Former legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger later admitted that the team was “completely exhausted.” Cameron Heyward also recalled how coaches nodded off during meetings. The Steelers lost the game 27-34. So the fear of déjà vu on the trip to Ireland is entirely justified.