The NFL has confirmed that its scheduled game between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers will go ahead in France on October 25 despite widespread protests and violent clashes across the country.
The league said preparations for the Week 7 fixture at Stade de France, just north of Paris, were continuing as planned, with no reported disruption at its operational sites.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the Daily Mail that arrangements for the game and related events remained on schedule.
He said the league was working closely with local authorities and partners on operational and security matters while providing both teams with regular updates.
New Orleans Saints Maintain Daily Security Updates
The Saints also confirmed their intention to travel to France and play the game as scheduled.
Team executive Greg Bensel issued a statement on Sunday ahead of New Orleans’ fixture against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Bensel said the organisation agreed with the NFL’s position and was continuing to prepare for the international game.
He added that the Saints had been receiving daily security updates from their partners in France. Members of the team’s football operations staff and internal security team had also been in the country for several days.
According to Bensel, there had been no disruption at the team’s sites in France.
The Saints planned to travel from the US East Coast after their game against the Giants, while the Steelers were expected to arrive in France on Friday.
Nearly 2,000 Arrested During Protests Across France
The NFL’s announcement comes as France experiences widespread demonstrations over the rising cost of living and deteriorating conditions in public schools.
French police have arrested nearly 2,000 people following violent confrontations between protesters and law enforcement officers.
The country’s interior ministry estimated that approximately 550,000 people had taken part in demonstrations nationwide, while around 1,500 shops had been vandalised.
Police used tear gas to disperse crowds as unrest spread across several locations.
Historic Limoges City Hall Damaged by Fire
Among the buildings affected by the unrest was the 19th-century City Hall in Limoges, which was engulfed in flames on Saturday.
The fire caused the building’s roof to collapse as masked protesters were seen setting fire to public buildings in different parts of the country.
The demonstrations continued into the weekend, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to schedule an emergency meeting with senior officials on Sunday before addressing the nation that evening.
Stade de France Remains Outside the Main Areas of Unrest
Stade de France, which has a capacity of approximately 80,000 spectators, is located just north of Paris and has so far avoided the disruption reported elsewhere.
The venue is scheduled to host the Saints and Steelers on October 25, with the NFL continuing to coordinate security arrangements with French authorities.
Despite assurances from the league and the Saints, the decision to proceed with the fixture has attracted criticism from some American football supporters.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy questioned the decision in a post on X, describing it as appearing “incredibly stupid”.
The NFL has maintained that preparations remain on schedule, with both teams continuing to plan for the game in France.
