NFL's First Paris Game Proceeds Amidst Unrest
The Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints are set to play in Paris on Sunday, despite ongoing protests and the closure of an NFL activation site.
The National Football League is proceeding with its first-ever game in Paris, France, on Sunday, October 25, featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers against the New Orleans Saints. The event marks a significant step in the league's international expansion.
Despite recent civil unrest and violent protests in the French capital over the past month, the NFL has confirmed plans to hold the game. The league's NFL House activation site was closed on Saturday due to the circumstances. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed confidence in the decision, stating on Friday that the game "means a lot to the NFL" and that he presumed it would not proceed if it were unsafe.
The Steelers enter the Week 7 matchup with a 4-2 record, while the Saints hold a 2-4 record. Both franchises have prior experience playing internationally; the Steelers last played abroad in Ireland in 2025, and the Saints have participated in three international games, most recently in London in 2022.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 9:30 a.m. ET at the Stade de France. For those in the U.S. without cable, the game can be streamed live for free through a five-day trial of DIRECTV. The NFL Network will broadcast the game.