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NFL Plans Paris Game Amid Escalating Protests
Confirmed
In Short: The NFL and the New Orleans Saints continue preparations for a game in Paris despite escalating protests and violence in France.
The NFL and the New Orleans Saints are proceeding with plans for an international game in Paris next Sunday, despite ongoing protests and violent clashes across the country.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in France, demanding changes to living costs and education policies. The protests have turned violent, with clashes between protesters and law enforcement, looting, and arson incidents.
The NFL has previously changed game locations due to various factors, including weather and field conditions, so the possibility of moving the game remains a consideration.
Concerns over player, personnel, and fan safety have become the main topic surrounding the international game, which is the first regular-season NFL matchup to take place in France.
NFL officials and the Saints have maintained that there have been no disruptions or impacts at any of their team sites in France. The league has stated that preparations continue as scheduled.
Saints spokesman Greg Bensel confirmed that the team is continuing its preparations to play in France, emphasizing that security updates are being provided daily.
The Saints are scheduled to leave Sunday night and spend the week practicing in France. The game is set to take place on October 23, 2026, at the Stade de France.
Protests have escalated in recent days, with reports of over 1,200 arrests and significant damage to public and private property. The NFL and the Saints are closely coordinating with local authorities and security partners.
Saints owner Gayle Benson highlighted the cultural significance of the game, noting the long-standing relationship between Louisiana and France.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg joined student protesters in France, describing the police response as 'extremely violent.' The CGT union has called for a new national day of strikes and protests on November 5.
The protests are part of a broader movement against education policies, with nearly 480,000 people demonstrating across France on Tuesday to demand more resources for education.
What this adds
The protests and violence have not yet impacted the NFL's operations in France, but the league remains vigilant.
What's confirmed
- "Preparations continue as scheduled for NFL events and the game at Stade de France next Sunday," the NFL said.
- "Members of our football operations staff and internal security team have been on the ground in France for the past few days and there has been no disruption or impact at any of our team sites."
- "We concur with the NFL's statement and are planning to play the game. In addition to working closely with the NFL, we have also maintained daily security updates with our security partners in France," Bensel said.
- "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."
- As we do for every NFL game, including our international games, we work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters.
- The NFL told Front Office Sports on Sunday that next weekend’s Saints-Steelers game in Paris remains on as scheduled amid the civil unrest and violence in France that has escalated in recent days.
- Saturday, October 17, 2026 · 6:16 AM ET Updated 6:16 AM ET · 4:14 AM ET Confirmed In Short: Saint-Denis Mayor Bally Bagayoko once again joined protests in Paris on Tuesday, supporting students and teachers who are challenging education policies in France.
- His victory was a significant breakthrough for LFI, giving the party control of one of the largest cities in the Paris region and strengthening its position ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election.
What's still developing
- The league released a statement last week saying they still plan to conduct the game as scheduled on Oct.
- Street violence erupted across France on Saturday when peaceful marches of 500,000 to 800,000 people, according to reports, devolved into masked groups clashing with police, looting businesses and setting fire to private property and public buildings, including the historic city hall in Limoges.
- The source add that so far there have been no disruptions at sites the NFL will utilize during the week. The Saints and Steelers have previously shown the requisite amount of excitement about playing the league's inaugural France game. "Louisiana's relationship with France is centuries deep, and this game represents another meaningful step in strengthening those cultural and economic ties," Saints owner Gayle Benson said in a statement announcing the game.
- The BBC reported that violence broke out across France amid ongoing protests on Saturday, as at least 1,200 people were arrested.
- If the NFL pulls the plug on the Paris game and plays in New Orleans, would the game begin at 9:30 a.m.
- On Saturday, more than 1,200 arrests were made after an “ escalation in violence ” that occurred with roughly 550,000 citizens protesting.
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- France is facing nationwide French high school protests as students block school entrances over teacher shortages, crowded classrooms and deteriorating buildings.
- France has more secondary school students than it did in 2008, yet the number of teachers has fallen over the same period.
- “Solidarity, climate and social justice, convergence of struggles!” added the La France Insoumise politician, who has visited the school in his city on several occasions since the blockades began, according to the media outlet RTL.
- Saturday's rallies were called under a "yellow and youth" banner by the 'Yellow Vest' movement, a working-class group formed eight years ago to fight fuel tax increases.
- Kamil Alahyan, an 18-year-old student, said he was marching because of "politicians who lie" and "the ultra-rich who've been taking more and more wealth over the past 10 years".