By Shane Brennan

Copyright independent

Here’s a quick guide to some free events happing around town.

Dublin Castle is where the league holds fort as it brings the NFL experience in the upper courtyard from 10am-6pm Thursday through Saturday.

This free fan stage includes a field goal kick challenge, a chance for kids to try flag football and visitors will have the chance to win prizes including tickets to February’s Super Bowl in California.

When that is open, the NFL is also opening a Super Bowl Gallery in Dublin City Hall, which will showcase all 59 Super Bowl rings alongside the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

There is also an NFL pro shop open in St Stephen’s Green with Dublin commemorative gear and apparel from all 32 teams.

Pittsburgh Steelers

This year’s ‘home’ team have plenty happening around town to build anticipation for Aaron Rodgers and Co. Merrion Square Park is host to the Steelers fan tailgate, which you can check out Friday from 4pm-7pm, Saturday from 10-7 and Sunday from 10am until the game’s end.

The tailgate will feature former players on stage, a taste of Pennsylvania cuisine and a choice of tailgate games.

Each of the teams in town have an official team bar, with Fitzsimons Temple Bar being Steelers HQ for the weekend and the Steelers Pro Shop is open for business at 40 Clarendon St, Dublin 2.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are in the unusual position of having to plan international events in two cities, with Minnesota facing the Cleveland Browns in Tottenham a week after their Croke Park game.

In Dublin, most Vikings events are based in JR Mahon’s pub on Burgh Quay, free for walk-ins for all events. This includes Vikings legend John Randle on stage on Thursday at 6, an NFL Pub Quiz on Friday and meet-ups in the bar on game day.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs aren’t playing in Dublin this week. Does that stop them setting up camp in Dublin? Sure why would it.

The Chiefs’ desire to be the world’s team – and as the Irish Independent revealed, the team who may bring NFL back to Dublin in 2026 – has manifested in the Chiefs House being established in Murray’s on O’Connell Street.

This begins Thursday at 7pm where you can meet the Chiefs’ new Irish mascot – KC O’Wolf. Friday the festivities go from 3pm until 10 with an event starring Chiefs legend Dustin Colquitt and Dublin legend Philly McMahon starting at 5, before a pub quiz soon after.

On Saturday from 12pm on until 9:30 there will be chances to meet with Colquitt before Allie Sherlock performs live.

And if that wasn’t enough, they are showing Chiefs v Ravens on Sunday – a 9:25 kick-off good time to make it down from Croke Park and watch Lamar Jackson face off against Patrick Mahomes.

Green Bay Packers

Finally, the Packers – who have two Irishmen on their payroll in punter Dan Whelan and back-up kicker Mark McNamee – are hosting an official get-together with team legend Ryan Grant at Sinnots at 6pm on Saturday.