The Pittsburgh Steelers have at least an inkling of what the fan reaction will be like on Sunday when they play the Minnesota Vikings in the first NFL regular-season game in Ireland.

Defensive tackle Cam Heyward and tight end Pat Freiermuth participated in promotional events in April in Dublin for the game. They were impressed by people's curiosity about American football during that visit.

So, the Steelers expect an enthusiastic and raucous crowd of over 75,000 at Croke Park. They even hope to have a home-country advantage because the Rooney family, which has owned the team since its inception in 1933, has deep Irish roots.

The Rooneys emigrated from Newry, County Down. The late Dan Rooney served as the United States ambassador from 2009 to 2012.

"When we were there, they had signs everywhere already for the game," Freiermuth said. "They love it when we come over and play football there. I went to a rugby game there, and I can't imagine what it's going to be like for an NFL game. It's going to be loud. It's going to be crazy. And it'll be fun."

As one of the NFL's flagship franchises, the Steelers enjoy widespread fan support wherever they go. That should not change in Ireland, though Heyward believes the natives will be as wrapped up in the game as the fans who make the trip from the United States.

"Getting to play at Croke Park, you can just feel the history there," Heyward said. "For an NFL regular-season game to be there, it's going to be really special. The fans are going to be locked in. I got to take in a rugby game, and if they get that rowdy for a rugby game, they're going to love an NFL game."

The Steelers won't get much time to see much of Dublin. They flew to Ireland on Thursday after practicing in Pittsburgh.

Still, the players are excited.

"We got such a warm welcome when we were in Dublin," Heyward said. "It's just going to be such a cool place to play."