The Gaelic Athletic Association, which owns Croke Park, stands to gain from an expected crowd of 75,000. Alan Milton, the GAA’s head of communications, said “hopefully it will not be a one-off.”

The Irish government allocated up to 9.95 million euros ($11.7 million) to support the game, according to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, which said in a statement it is open to hosting “future NFL games.”

The government projects the game will generate 64 million euros ($75 million) “in additional economic activity for Ireland with a direct Exchequer return on the State’s investment of nearly two to one,” the culture and sport department said. More than 30,000 international visitors are expected.

“It will also provide global exposure for Dublin and Ireland, with an expected TV audience in the U.S. alone of up to 20 million viewers,” the department’s statement read.

Irish Times columnist Dave Hannigan, however, said it’s unfair for such a lucrative league to seek taxpayer funds.

“They’re commercial juggernauts. Come to Dublin, make whatever you want from this experience, or this enterprise, make as much money as you can … just don’t charge the Irish people for it,” Hannigan told the AP.

Hodgson pointed to some elements of the funding that “will remain in the market” like stadium upgrades.

It’s a business model that works, he added, and other cities are lining up to host games.

“The NFL brings in significant economic and social impact,” Hodgson said. “Ultimately, if that’s what Ireland or Dublin or any other city is looking to do, to bring in the tourism and social impact that we can provide, and they’re willing to make that outlay, that’s how this works.”

Capacity will be reduced from the usual 82,300 in part because a standing section has been fitted with seats. The pitch was replaced following several concerts, Milton said.

For the Gaelic games normally played at the stadium — which includes Gaelic football, a game that’s a bit like rugby — the opposing teams each get a locker room and warmup area on the same side of the venue.

“In this instance, one American football team is going to take up those four areas on one side of the stadium,” Milton said. “It gives you an indication of the size of the guys, the equipment, the numbers … their background teams, it’s on a different level to our games.”

The media center has been doubled in capacity.

“The interest is phenomenal,” he said.