The NFL made its long-planned debut in Paris on Saturday, staging a game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints despite weeks of violent protests and civil unrest that have shaken the French capital.
The league’s NFL House fan activation in Paris was closed on Saturday because of the unrest, but officials decided to proceed with the game as scheduled, marking the first NFL contest ever played in the city.
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers addressed the decision to play on Friday, telling reporters, “This game means a lot to the NFL. If it was unsafe, then I’m sure we wouldn’t be here.”
Kickoff was set for 9:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 25.
The matchup is part of the NFL’s ongoing push to expand its international footprint. Both franchises have played overseas before: the Steelers’ most recent trip abroad was a 2025 game in Ireland, while the Saints have played three international games, all in London, most recently in 2022.
The two teams entered the contest with contrasting records. Pittsburgh came into Week 7 at 4-2, while New Orleans sat at 2-4.
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