The Green Bay Packers announced today that Packers fan Stephen O'Brien has been named the club's nominee for the NFL International Fan of the Year contest, in honor of his commitment to growing the game and strengthening the bond between the Packers and their international fans.
O'Brien is one of 32 nominees worldwide, with each NFL club naming a nominee for the NFL International Fan of the Year award. The ultimate winner will be announced during 2026 Draft Week in Pittsburgh. As the Packers' nominee, O'Brien will receive a trip to the 2026 NFL Draft, with two tickets to the Packers Inner Circle, access to Draft VIP events and experiences, as well as the opportunity to announce a Draft selection.
O'Brien is the founder of the UK and Irish Packers Fan Club, established in 2013 to bring together Packers supporters across Ireland and the United Kingdom. What began as a small gathering of passionate fans has grown into the largest Packers fan club outside the United States, with O'Brien helping to create a vibrant community that connects thousands of supporters through events, travel, media and shared devotion to the green and gold.
O'Brien is also the driving force behind one of Europe's most popular Packers podcasts, giving fans a dedicated voice and platform to discuss the team from an international perspective. Through his leadership, the fan club has become a hub for year-round engagement, hosting packed watch parties and social events that reflect the Packers' unique spirit of community ownership.
Every year, O'Brien organizes a fully escorted supporters tour to Lambeau Field, helping fans experience the magic of Green Bay firsthand. In addition, the fan club crowd-funds an all-expenses-paid trip to Lambeau annually, ensuring that one devoted fan gets the opportunity of a lifetime regardless of financial circumstances.
To celebrate his nomination, the Packers commissioned a special piece of artwork in O'Brien's hometown of Arklow, County Wicklow. An 8-by-8-meter celebratory mural was painted on the side of the Coral Leisure Arklow building by local artist and mental health advocate Stephen Considine, who worked around the clock and overcame storms to complete the project in less than a week.
The mural also features Packers punter Daniel Whelan, who also hails from County Wicklow in Ireland. High-res images of the completed mural and O'Brien can be found at this link.
The NFL's International Fan of the Year contest aims to celebrate the extraordinary fans who have inspired their family, friends, and/or community; whose fandom, contributions to their team, and connections to the game motivate others to join them in turning gamedays into epic adventures. For more information on the contest, visit nfl.com/honors/fan-of-the-year/international/.
