Steelers draft party delivers electric night in Dublin

Steelers Nation Ireland showed up in style on Saturday evening as the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted an official 2026 NFL Draft Party, presented by Ticketmaster, at Kennedy’s Pub & Restaurant, bringing fans together for a memorable night celebrating Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Attendees enjoyed live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft with a lively atmosphere including live music, food and drinks, giveaways courtesy of Ticketmaster, and the unmistakable energy of Steelers Nation.

The 2026 NFL Draft saw the Pittsburgh Steelers strengthen their roster, led by their first-round selection of offensive lineman Max Iheanachor from Arizona State.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace was in attendance on the night, meeting fans, signing autographs, and taking to the stage as part of the evening’s entertainment.

Selected in the third round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009, Wallace’s stories of the NFL Draft process and his time with the team gave attendees an intimate insight into the career of a Steelers legend.

The evening was hosted by Virgin Media’s Tommy Martin alongside Mark Hogan, who guided fans through the night’s biggest moments, while expert analysis on the Steelers’ Draft selections and outlook for the upcoming season was provided by Tomás Quinn and Stephanie Zambra.

The NFL Draft is an annual three-day event consisting of seven rounds, where each of the 32 teams selects emerging American football talent to join their roster.

This year’s Draft took place from 23^rd – 25^th April in Pittsburgh, the home to the Steelers.

Saturday’s event further highlighted the strength and enthusiasm of the Steelers’ international fanbase in Ireland, as the organisation continues to deepen its connection with supporters following its historic appearance in the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Ireland at Croke Park last year.

That landmark occasion not only marked a major milestone for the sport but also reinforced the Steelers’ long-standing ties to the country and brought the team closer than ever to its Irish fanbase.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ connection to Ireland runs deep, with the Rooney family’s roots tracing back to Newry, County Down.

The late Dan M. Rooney, former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, played a pivotal role in strengthening these ties, helping to build a lasting relationship between the organisation and the country.

As Ireland continues to be a key strategic international market for the franchise, fan engagement events such as the NFL Draft Party play an important role in growing and celebrating Steelers Nation locally, supported by dedicated Irish social media channels that share regular content and updates for fans.