Touchdown for Dublin retailers as NFL’s arrival sparks spending bonanza

• Social spending across the city centre spikes by 17%, retail spend up 6%
• Younger fans drove spending levels higher as NFL’s popularity continues to grow

The latest Bank of Ireland Spending Pulse analysing debit and credit card spending (25 – 28 September) reveals that the NFL’s arrival in Ireland for its first official match sparked a spending bonanza in central Dublin.

With American Football fans ‘taking over’ several locations across Dublin 1, 2, 3 and 4 ahead of the Croke Park clash, total spending in these areas rose by +12% compared to the same period in 2024. Social spending spiked by +17% as revellers enjoyed the sights and sounds of the capital, with retail spending rising by +6%.

And it was on game day itself, 28 September, when the real economic boost could be felt, as pubs across the city centre posted a spending hike of +57%. Restaurants (+20%) fed the hungry hordes, and health and beauty spas were inundated with people getting ready for the occasion – recording a spending uptick of +72%.

Indicative of the ongoing growth in American Football’s popularity in Ireland amongst younger people it was not surprising to see teenagers (13 – 17 year olds) post a spending rise of +208% during the time period analysed, whilst spending amongst 18 – 25 year old’s was up by +17% and spending in the 36 – 45-year-old category rose by 16%.

Outlay on sports apparel soared by +35% in the lead up to the game as supporters got decked out in the latest gear, transport spending across the city centre rose by a whopping +256% as buses, rail and tram services were all in demand, and Dublin taxi drivers took in an additional +7%.

Commenting on Bank of Ireland’s latest Spending Pulse, Owen Clifford, Head of Retail Sector at Bank of Ireland said: “It was a case of ‘America’s Game’ coming to Ireland as the NFL played its first overseas match at Croke Park, an event which proved to be boom time for retailers as visitors enjoyed the best that the capital city has to offer. Our card spending insights reveal that the estimated 35,000 US visitors really splashed out, proving that these types of occasions can be a real boost for businesses across a range of sectors.”