NFL Closes Paris Venue Amid Unrest Ahead of First French Game
The league cited "potential accessibility issues" as protests roiled the city and security concerns mounted before the Saints-Steelers matchup.
The NFL closed its "NFL House" venue in Paris on Saturday, a day before the league's first-ever regular-season game in France, as the city braced for street protests. The closure was announced to fans via the "OnePass" app, citing "potential accessibility issues." This follows a similar announcement for the NFL's pop-up shop.
The New Orleans Saints are scheduled to play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Stade de France on Sunday. Security concerns have loomed over the historic event. The Saints also announced that their "Saints House" event had been postponed to Sunday.
Major Parisian museums, including the Louvre and the Orsay Museum, remained closed on Saturday. French authorities increased police presence and boarded up storefronts in an effort to prevent further unrest. The U.S. State Department had previously issued a security alert advising Americans attending the game to exercise caution.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged the situation earlier in the week, stating that preparations were made in consultation with U.S. and French authorities and noting that street protests are common in France. On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron met with Goodell, Saints owner Gayle Benson, and Steelers owner Art Rooney II at the Élysée Palace to discuss the upcoming game and the NFL's potential long-term presence in Paris.
Fans attending events in Paris noted the impact of the unrest. One fan, Nick Paiva, expressed disappointment over communication issues regarding NFL House activities, such as accessing the Lombardi Trophy display. Another fan, French teenager Oskar Le Gall, attending a football throwing event, observed that "the atmosphere of the NFL in Paris is amazing" compared to French sports leagues' promotion, but added that "it doesn’t feel calm and good to be a tourist in Paris. It’s not good for the NFL."
Fan groups on social media have been actively sharing information to help attendees navigate the city safely. Monika Allen, a Steelers fan, noted that fans are helping each other stay informed about areas to avoid. Her cousin, Viktor Toth, expressed a lack of concern, remarking on the regularity of protests in Paris.