The National Football League played its first-ever regular-season game in France on Sunday, October 25, 2026, as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-10 at Stade de France amid heightened security following nationwide urban unrest.
Sunday morning football reached 7.7 million viewers, per ESPN, marking the third-highest audience for any international game on NFL Network according to television ratings. The matchup at the 81,338-seat Stade de France in Saint-Denis brought the league to its ninth foreign host country, building on an international slate that began in 2007. Steelers fans travelled from across the United States and Europe, with notable contingents arriving from Mexico and Germany.
Five Butler County residents — Jared Sullivan, Gail Paserba, Dave Zirnsak, Richard Schontz, and Connie Rosellini — were among the travelers making the roughly 4,000-mile journey from Pennsylvania to watch the historic international contest live. Sullivan noted that while large-scale protests and marches involving hundreds of thousands of people took place in the French capital on Saturday, the local atmosphere experienced by fans remained largely calm and orderly. Inside the venue, a roughly 50-50 split of supporters filled the stands, where Terrible Towels waved prominently among the crowd as the Steelers secured the win.
Sunday morning football doesn't deliver like Sunday afternoon and evening football, but nothing else is racking up 7.7 million in that window, like Steelers-Saints did in Week 7. https://t.co/kMG9wQ1Ssl
Security Measures and Canceled Fan Events in Paris
Preparations for the historic matchup unfolded against a backdrop of severe urban unrest in France that prompted President Emmanuel Macron to tighten restrictions on public demonstrations. Citing safety concerns surrounding planned weekend protests in central Paris, the NFL and the participating teams adjusted their schedules. The Steelers canceled a planned “Steelers House” fan event in the Bastille neighbourhood and the NFL called off an NFL Experience fan gathering due to adverse weather.
Ahead of kickoff, the United States State Department issued a security alert urging American citizens to exercise caution and avoid areas of demonstrations. Despite the tensions, league officials maintained confidence in their operational planning. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell conferred with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who assured league leadership that the embassy felt the game would proceed safely without anticipated disruptions.
If it was unsafe, then I’m sure we wouldn’t be here.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, via The Guardian
President Donald Trump publicly suggested that the league postpone or move the match given the unrest in France, but the NFL proceeded as scheduled. Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president of club business, international and league events, emphasized that security protocols were heightened on an hour-by-hour basis in coordination with local authorities.
Travel Schedules and On-Field Action at Stade de France
The two franchises approached their European travel differently. The New Orleans Saints arrived in France on Monday, giving them nearly a week to acclimate before game day, during which running back Alvin Kamara attended a EuroLeague basketball game at the Adidas Arena. Conversely, the Pittsburgh Steelers took a red-eye flight from Pennsylvania, landing early Friday morning before canceling their initial practice due to inclement weather.
On the field, Aaron Rodgers led the Steelers’ offense as Pittsburgh improved to 5-2 on the season. For New Orleans, second-year quarterback Tyler Shough completed 16 of 30 passes for 144 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, helping the Saints snap their three-age losing skid.
NFL Plans Future Games in France, Spain and Germany
The successful execution in Paris reinforces the league’s long-term commitment to European markets. League executives confirmed plans to return to France for future fixtures as part of an expanding global footprint. Following the Paris showcase, the NFL’s international calendar moves to Madrid, Spain, where the Cincinnati Bengals will face the Atlanta Falcons on November 8, 2026.
Subsequent international fixtures scheduled for November include the New England Patriots playing the Detroit Lions in Munich, Germany, on November 15, 2026, followed by the Minnesota Vikings meeting the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City on November 22, 2026.