Saints to play NFL's first regular season game in Paris this year
FILE-Jonas Sanker #33 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after an interception during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
As the National Football League continues its effort to expand the game to a global audience, it is returning overseas this fall to play the league’s first regular-season game ever in Paris, France.
The New Orleans Saints were announced Monday as one of the teams heading to Paris for the game, which will be played in Stade de France.
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Stade de France was built in 1998 and is the country’s largest stadium and has hosted a FIFA World Cup, Rugby World Cup, UEFA Champions Leage Finals, UEFA European Championship Finals and was also the venue for the 2024 Olympics, according to an NFL release.
This spring, the NFL will reveal the Saints opponent for the matchup as well as the date and kickoff when the 2026 NFL schedule is revealed.
NFL and Saints statement on Paris game
What they're saying:
The New Orleans Saints have international marketing rights in France as part of the NFL's Global Markets Program and the NFL released a statement Monday about this season’s overseas game.
In a statement posted on the team’s official X account on Monday, Saints owner Gayle Benson expressed her excitement to have the team play in the Paris game. "We are excited to be selected to play in the first regular-season game to take place in France. This moment is special not only because of the strong cultural connection between Louisiana and France, but also because we will compete before a growing Saints fan base in Paris."
"Bringing a regular season game to Paris in 2026 marks an exciting next step in the continued expansion of the league’s global footprint," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a news release. "Paris is one of the world’s greatest sporting and cultural cities with tremendous success in hosting global events that unite fans on the biggest stages. Playing our first‑ever regular season game at the impressive Stade de France, together with the New Orleans Saints, underlines our continued global growth ambitions and we look forward to bringing the NFL to our passionate fans in France."
How many international games has the NFL played outside the U.S.?
Big picture view:
To date, the NFL has played 62 regular season NFL games globally, with London, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dublin, São Paulo, Mexico City, and Toronto having hosted games.
League officials also confirmed that it will hold its first game in Australia next season, with the Los Angeles Rams set to host that game, and games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Munich, Germany, and three in London.
For more information about the NFL 2026 Paris game and to sign up for ticket information, click here.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by a release from the National Football League and a New Orleans Saints social media post with a statement from the team’s owner. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.