The NFL says its first regular-season game in the Paris area remains scheduled for Oct. 25, as protests in France continue into a third week. The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to face the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris.
In a statement reported by ESPN, the league said preparations for the game and related events were proceeding as planned. The NFL added that, as with its other games, it works with local authorities and partners on operational and security arrangements, and said it looked forward to welcoming fans.
The demonstrations have centered on calls for changes to France’s education system. Protesters are seeking government action on schools described as under-resourced, deteriorating facilities and shortages of teachers. Some students have reported disrepair in school buildings and rats inside them, according to the supplied report.
Some protests have turned violent. French authorities have used tear gas, stun grenades and other crowd-control measures, CBS News reported. The source material does not describe a specific threat to the NFL game or indicate that the league has changed its plans. The league’s statement says the event remains on schedule while preparations continue with local partners.
The Paris game is part of an expanded international slate for the 2026-27 season. The source reports that the season is set to include a record number of games outside the United States, with fixtures in Australia, England, France, Brazil, Spain, Germany and Mexico. Earlier in the season, the league held its first regular-season game in Australia.
The NFL has moved games in the past, although prior relocations were generally connected to severe weather or playing-surface conditions, according to the supplied material. It does not identify any past relocation tied to unrest of the kind reported in France.
New Orleans is designated as the home team for the Paris matchup. The Saints entered their Week 6 game against the New York Giants on a three-game losing streak. Pittsburgh recorded its third win by defeating the Indianapolis Colts and was scheduled to travel to Tampa to play the Buccaneers. Those team results and schedules provide background to the matchup but do not change the league’s stated plans for the Oct. 25 event.
The report also notes that France is due to hold presidential elections next spring. It does not connect the election calendar to the protests or to the NFL’s security planning.
