The NFL said Wednesday that its first regular-season game in France will go ahead as scheduled on Oct. 25 at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, even as social unrest and protests across France enter a third week. The game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints is the league's inaugural regular-season contest in the Paris area and a centerpiece of its expanding international schedule.
«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 NFL 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 demonstrations, which have at times escalated into violence, have been driven by calls for broad changes to France's education system. Protesters want the government to address schools they describe as under-resourced, along with deteriorating facilities and teacher shortages. Some students have described buildings in disrepair and reported seeing rats inside. French authorities have deployed tear gas, stun grenades and other crowd-control measures in response to some demonstrations. The unrest comes as France prepares to hold presidential elections next spring.
The NFL has relocated games before, though past changes have typically been prompted by extreme weather or field conditions rather than civil unrest. For now, the league is signaling that its Paris plans remain intact, and it is coordinating with local officials on security and logistics.
The Saints will be the designated home team for the game in France. New Orleans enters its Week 6 matchup with the New York Giants on a three-game losing streak. The Steelers, meanwhile, picked up their third win of the season on Sunday by defeating the Indianapolis Colts. Pittsburgh will travel to Tampa this weekend to face the Buccaneers, who earned their first victory of the year last Thursday by upsetting the Dallas Cowboys.
The Paris game is part of a broader international push by the NFL. Earlier this season, the league sanctioned its first regular-season game in Australia, extending its reach beyond its longstanding presence in England. The 2026-27 season is also set to feature a record number of games outside the United States, with contests scheduled in Australia, England, France, Brazil, Spain, Germany and Mexico.
NFL owners have approved a record 10 international games for 2027, with the league signaling interest in further expansion abroad. Commissioner Roger Goodell has detailed the league's expansion possibilities and a timetable for a full season of international games. The France game represents a significant step in that strategy, placing a regular-season matchup in a major European market for the first time.
For now, the league's focus is on ensuring the Oct. 25 game at Stade de France proceeds safely. The NFL said it is working closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters, a standard approach it applies to every game, including international ones. The league added that it looks forward to welcoming fans to Paris later this month.
The Steelers and Saints are both navigating their own early-season trajectories as the Paris game approaches. New Orleans is looking to halt a three-game skid, while Pittsburgh is building momentum after its third win. The matchup will mark the NFL's first regular-season game in France, a milestone the league is eager to celebrate despite the broader unrest in the country.