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NFL, Saints, and Steelers still plan to play in France next week

By
FOX Local
NFL
Published October 18, 2026 7:44 PM MST
Published October 18, 2026 7:44 PM MST
article

This photograph taken on February 8, 2024 shows a general view of the seats of the Stade de France in view of the 2024 Olympic Games, in Saint-Denis, Paris' suburb. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)

The Brief

    • The NFL released a statement saying the game between the Saints and Steelers in Paris is still going as scheduled.
    • Both teams have reiterated their travel plans, with New Orleans saying it planned to leave after this Sunday’s game.
    • Next Sunday’s game will be the first time the NFL has played in France.

The ongoing protests and riots in France are not interrupting the NFL’s plans for its first-ever game in the European nation.  

Big picture view:

The league reiterated its position that the matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Oct. 25, in Paris will go ahead as planned. 

What they're saying:

"Preparations continue as scheduled for the NFL events and the game at Stade de France next Sunday," the league said in a statement provided to OutKick and Fox News Digital on Sunday.

"We continue to work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters. We are also providing the two clubs with regular updates. There's been no disruption or impact at league sites."

Teams’ travel plans

Both the Saints and Steelers have confirmed, too, that they intend to take the field in the French capital next week. Saints players expect to be on a plane and headed across the Atlantic after Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, team officials stated Sunday. 

The Steelers will start preparing for next weekend in the U.S. and have a flight scheduled for Thursday that will have them there in time for a Friday morning practice at Stade de France.

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The backstory:

Recent demonstrations across France over high living costs and poor conditions in schools have drawn hundreds of thousands of people. However, their marches have been overshadowed recently by rioting by some of the protesters and the looting of hundreds of businesses. 

At least 2,400 people have been arrested so far, and, on Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation and denounced the "unrestrained violence" by "insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals."

The Source: Information for this article was taken from the NFL, Outkick, and Fox News. This story was reported from Orlando.



 

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