Brief

NFL says Paris game will go ahead despite French protests

League officials say preparations continue as scheduled while protests have led to arrests and the cancellation of a Steelers fan event.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 23 Oct 2026 06:56:23 GMT

The National Football League announced on Wednesday that its inaugural regular‑season game in Paris, featuring the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers, will proceed as planned on Sunday despite ongoing protests across France.

What happened

After the Saints defeated the New York Giants on Saturday, the team arrived in France on Monday morning. The Steelers landed on Thursday. Both squads are set to play at Stade de France in the Paris suburb of Saint‑Denis. French authorities reported that roughly 550,000 people participated in demonstrations on Saturday, prompting a curfew in parts of the capital and resulting in thousands of arrests.

What the reports add

According to NBC News, a league spokesman said preparations "continue as scheduled" and that the NFL’s security and events team, which handles Super Bowl logistics, is overseeing the Paris operation. The report notes that the mayor of Saint‑Denis intervened in a clash between police and protestors at the stadium site. It also cites that the Steelers cancelled a planned "Steelers House" fan gathering in the Bastille neighbourhood because of recent events.

What was said

Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president of club business, international and league events, told reporters after owners’ meetings that the league had not considered moving the game and that contingency plans exist for every matchup. "We have never been close to that point," O’Reilly said.

Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier, a former head of Washington D.C.’s Metropolitan Police, has been in Paris for several days overseeing security plans.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said his comfort level with security was "very high" and that he had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Goodell added, "We’ve made all the preparations… we’ve been in touch with the appropriate authorities."

How it came about

The Paris game follows weeks of unrest sparked by high living costs and concerns over school conditions, which began in early October. Earlier Felo News coverage documented the league’s monitoring of the protests, the rise in arrests, and the cancellation of a Steelers fan event due to security concerns. Despite the volatile backdrop, the NFL has maintained its schedule for the Saints‑Steelers matchup at Stade de France.

Key facts

The NFL's first regular‑season game in Paris will be played on Sunday despite protests. (nbcnews.com)
Approximately 550,000 people participated in demonstrations on Saturday, leading to a curfew in parts of Paris. (nbcnews.com)
The Steelers cancelled a fan event in the Bastille neighbourhood because of recent unrest. (nbcnews.com)
Commissioner Roger Goodell said his comfort level with security is "very high". (nbcnews.com)
League officials, including Peter O’Reilly and Cathy Lanier, have been in Paris overseeing preparations. (nbcnews.com)