NFL Game in Paris Remains on Track Amidst French Unrest

The National Football League (NFL) has stated that its inaugural regular-season game in France, scheduled for October 25 at Stade de France near Paris, is proceeding as planned. The announcement comes despite weeks of social unrest and protests in France that have raised security concerns.

The game will feature the Pittsburgh Steelers against the New Orleans Saints. The NFL has emphasized its commitment to operational and security matters, working closely with local authorities.

"We're excited for the first-ever regular season game in Paris, and preparations continue as scheduled for NFL events and the game at Stade de France on Oct. 25," the league said in a statement. "As we do for every NFL game, including our international games, we work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters. We look forward to welcoming fans to Paris later this month."

The protests in France have centered on calls for broad changes to the education system, with demonstrators highlighting issues such as under-resourced schools, deteriorating facilities, and teacher shortages. Some demonstrations have reportedly escalated into violence, leading French authorities to employ crowd-control measures.

This planned game is part of the NFL's broader international expansion. In the 2026-27 season, the league is set to play a record number of games outside the United States, with events scheduled in France, Brazil, Spain, Germany, Mexico, Australia, and England.

The Saints will be the designated home team for the Paris matchup. Currently, the New Orleans team is on a three-game losing streak heading into their Week 6 game against the New York Giants. The Steelers recently secured their third win of the season by defeating the Indianapolis Colts and are scheduled to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next.