NFL France Game: 2026 Stade de France Confirmed

NFL to Play First Regular Season Game in France, Signaling Global Expansion

France is set to host its first-ever National Football League regular season game in October 2026, marking a critically important milestone in teh league’s international strategy.

The NFL formally announced on February 2nd that the Stade de France in Saint-Denis will be the venue for this historic event. The matchup will feature the New Orleans Saints against the Cleveland browns,with the stadium capable of accommodating nearly 80,000 fans. While the official game schedule for the 2026 season is slated for release in the spring, multiple sources, including RMC Sport and The Team, report the game is scheduled for October 25, 2026.

Did you know? – The NFL first began playing regular season games outside of the United States in 2005,initially focusing on markets in Mexico and the United Kingdom. This France game is part of a broader strategy.

A Long-Awaited Arrival

The prospect of an NFL game in France has been discussed for years,and the announcement has been met with enthusiasm from the country’s growing fanbase. The league estimates that France is now the third-largest European market for American football, trailing only Germany and the united Kingdom, boasting “some 14 million fans” according to brett Gosper, NFL director of Europe and Asia-Pacific.

the success of previous international games played in London, Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt served as a catalyst for this expansion. “the ‘success’ of outsourced meetings… constituted ‘the spark we needed’ to expand to new countries,” a senior NFL official stated.The league recognizes the potential of the French market, adding, “For many criteria, it would have been good to come earlier, but we are coming now for good reasons. Our intention is not to have a match and leave. This is an important market for us.”

Paris to Host a “Mini Super Bowl”

The NFL intends to make a significant splash with this inaugural game in Paris, promising a week-long celebration of American football. Gosper described the event as a “mini Super Bowl,” with plans for a halftime show and a variety of related events.

“We want to have a ‘boom’ for the first match.There will be a halftime show, lots of events,” Gosper explained. The league’s ambitions extend beyond a single sporting event. “The match itself is not the goal. It’s the catalyst,it’s the starting point for increased investment in the market,” he affirmed.

Pro tip – Fans traveling to the game should book accommodations and transportation well in advance, as demand is expected to be high. The Stade de France is accessible by public transport.

Expanding the NFL’s Global Footprint

Sence 2005, the NFL has hosted 62 regular season games outside of the United States, and the league plans to accelerate this trend. In addition to the game in Paris,the NFL has announced plans for future international games in Melbourne,Rio de janeiro,Munich,Madrid,and London.

This expansion reflects the NFL’s broader strategy to cultivate new fan bases and revenue streams beyond its traditional North American market. The league views international growth as crucial for its long-term sustainability and aims to establish American football as a truly global sport. the NFL’s international series isn’t just about showcasing games; it’s about building lasting relationships with fans and driving long-term growth.The arrival of the NFL in france represents a pivotal moment in the league’s international journey, signaling a commitment to expanding its reach and solidifying its position as a truly global sport.

Why is the NFL playing a game in France?

The NFL is playing a regular season game in France to expand its global reach and tap into the growing European market for American football. France is estimated to have 14 million fans, making it the third-largest European market after Germany and the UK. The league sees this as a long