NFL Says First Regular-Season Game in France Remains on Track Despite Growing Unrest in Paris

Despite weeks of protests on the streets of Paris, the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints are scheduled to play at Stade de France on October 25.

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Earlier this season, the NFL boycotted its first regular season game in Australia, expanding the league's international reach beyond its longtime presence in England.

The 2026-27 season is also set to have a record number of games played outside the United States. In addition to Australia and England, games will be held in France, Brazil, Spain, Germany and Mexico.

As the opening game of the NFL in the Paris region approaches, unrest and social protests in France have entered their third week, creating a heightened security environment for the event. However, the league announced Wednesday that the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints will still go ahead as scheduled on Oct. 25 at the Stade de France in St. Denis, north of Paris.

NFL owners confirmed 10 international games scheduled for 2027 with prospects for further expansion overseas.

There is a history of moving NFL games, although past changes have usually been due to extreme weather or field conditions.

"We are excited for the first game of the regular season in Paris and preparations continue as scheduled for NFL events and the game at the Stade de France on October 25," the NFL said in a statement obtained by ESPN. As we do for every NFL game, including our international games, we work closely with local authorities and our partners on all operational and security matters. We look forward to welcoming fans to Paris later this month."

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Calls for sweeping changes to France's education system have been at the center of the unrest. Protesters are calling on the government to address what are considered under-resourced schools, as well as worsening facilities and teacher shortages. Some students have described dilapidated buildings and reported seeing rats inside.

Some of the protests have turned violent, prompting French authorities to use tear gas, stun grenades and other crowd control measures, CBS News reported.

French presidential elections will be held next spring.

The Saints will be the designated host team for the game in France. New Orleans enters its Week 6 matchup with the New York Giants on a three-game losing streak.

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The Steelers picked up their third win Sunday by defeating the Indianapolis Colts and will travel to Tampa this weekend to face the Buccaneers, who got their first win of the year by upsetting the Dallas Cowboys last Thursday.

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