NFL says Steelers–Saints Paris game is still on despite protests across France

The NFL says its first regular-season game in France is still on. With student-led protests spreading across the country, the league said Wednesday that the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints will play at Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Sunday, October 25, as scheduled.

“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 October 25,” the league said in a statement shared by Brooke Pryor. “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.”

Why the question came up

For weeks, students have protested across France over poor school conditions and teacher shortages, and unions have joined them in solidarity. France’s Interior Ministry put Tuesday’s turnout at about 250,000 people in dozens of cities and towns, from Caen in the north to Marseille in the south. Union organizers claimed far more. On the previous Thursday, the ministry counted 71,500 marchers nationwide and more than 500 people detained. Police have used tear gas and riot-control tactics to clear crowds in parts of Paris.

Unions called for more action on Wednesday. That left Steelers and Saints fans, many with flights and hotels already booked, asking whether a game 11 days away could still go ahead.

What the league is saying

A league source told Parker Abate that the NFL is “certainly aware of what is happening in Paris” and is monitoring it, adding that the league is coordinating with local authorities on every part of the event, including security. “Right now, no plans have changed as it relates to the game or any activities in the lead up to the game,” the source said, calling it “full steam ahead.”

No backup venue has been announced. Mike Florio said the league will do everything it can to keep the game in Paris. If it ever had to move, he said, New Orleans would be the natural fallback because the Saints are the designated home team. He also noted that a late move would raise hard questions for fans who bought travel packages.

The game and the week around it

Kickoff is set for 9:30 a.m. Eastern, 2:30 p.m. in Paris, in Week 7. It is the league’s first regular-season game in France. NFL France has also scheduled a temporary NFL Shop at Galerie Joseph from October 19 to 25 as part of game week. Our Paris countdown has the broadcast and event details.

This is Pittsburgh’s second straight season with an overseas game, after beating the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park in Dublin in 2025. Steelers president Art Rooney II said in May that the club was “honored” to play in the league’s first game in Paris. Before then, the Steelers visit Tampa Bay in Week 6, and London wraps up its slate with Texans–Jaguars at Wembley on October 18, as covered in our London games countdown.

What comes next

Unless the league changes its plans, the next step is the teams’ travel after Week 6. For now, the NFL’s position is that it is watching closely and has no plans to change the date, the city or the stadium.