Superman and X-Men star Nicholas Hoult meets Aaron Rodgers at Pittsburgh Steelers preseason game, roots for Europe hosting the Super Bowl

British actor Nicholas Hoult may be more familiar with Premier League stadiums than NFL sidelines, but that didn’t stop him from soaking in some American football over the weekend – and getting face time with one of the biggest names in the sport. The Superman star was in the stands at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a preseason showdown and it’s clear he had a great time.Though Hoult admits his knowledge of the sport is still developing, he walked away from the game impressed by both the atmosphere and Pittsburgh’s newest face at quarterback: four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers.

Aaron Rodgers and Superman actor Nicholas Hoult connect before kickoff in Pittsburgh

Right before the preseason game started, Nicholas Hoult got to meet Aaron Rodgers face-to-face – a moment that clearly left an impression. “It was cool,” Hoult said about their brief chat. Rodgers, who surprised fans with his offseason move to the Steelers, is one of the most well-known quarterbacks in the league. Now in his 21st NFL season, he takes over in Pittsburgh after spending most of his career with the Green Bay Packers and a short time with the New York Jets.

Nicholas Hoult may not know all the details of the game, but it was clear he enjoyed getting a few minutes with the Steelers’ high-profile new quarterback.

Still learning the game, but loving the experience: Nicholas Hoult

Despite being more comfortable around a soccer pitch, the UK-born actor didn’t let the complexity of American football keep him from enjoying the experience. When asked about the game and the atmosphere in Pittsburgh, Hoult said, “It was great.”The Steelers, entering the 2025 NFL season with new leadership under center, are using the preseason to iron out chemistry and evaluate depth.

But for casual fans or first-timers like Hoult, it’s the energy in the stadium that often makes the biggest impression — and Pittsburgh’s fan base didn’t disappoint.

Golden Globe-nominated X-Men actor Nicholas Hoult believes the Super Bowl would be a hit if Europe hosted

As the NFL continues to expand its international presence, Hoult sees potential for American football to thrive overseas. Speaking on the league’s growing international ambitions, the actor expressed optimism about the possibility of Europe hosting the Super Bowl one day.

“If a European city ever landed a Super Bowl,” he said, “I was sure it'd be successful.”It’s a timely observation, with the Steelers set to play the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin next month as part of the NFL’s expanding international series. While Hoult hasn’t confirmed if he’ll attend the Ireland matchup, he seemed interested in the idea — and left the door open to supporting Pittsburgh again soon.Also read: Taylor Swift drops Blake Lively from intimate album party as Travis Kelce becomes her number one supporterWhether or not he makes it to that international game, the actor has clearly caught the NFL bug.