NFL keeps Saints-Steelers game near Paris on, adds security amid French unrest
In short
The NFL says the Saints-Steelers game at the Stade de France on October 25 is going ahead, with heightened security, after a weekend of rioting in France. A league source told Fox News Digital that a venue change could be made if the situation became untenable. Criticism has come from fans and from Dani Watt, the wife of Steelers player TJ Watt.
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The NFL says its game between the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers will go ahead at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris, on October 25. AP and Reuters headlines report that the game is going forward with heightened security amid civil unrest. Newsweek described it as the NFL's first regular-season game in France. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 9 , 10 ]
Fox News reported that street violence erupted across France on Saturday, when marches of 500,000 to 800,000 people, according to reports, turned into clashes between masked groups and police, with looting and fires, including at the historic city hall in Limoges. Fox cited reports of arrests rising from 1,000 to 1,800, including 855 in the Paris region. Newsweek, citing French authorities, said more than 2,500 people were arrested and nearly 1,000 members of the security forces were injured. It said the demonstrations were over living costs and public services, and that organizers have called for new protests on October 24 while authorities have begun imposing localized curfews. [ 1 , 5 ]
In a statement, the NFL said preparations continue as scheduled, that it is working closely with local authorities and partners on operational and security matters, and that the two clubs get regular updates. It said there has been no disruption or impact at league sites. A league source told Fox News Digital that if the situation became untenable, a venue change could be made, and Newsweek quoted the source as saying moving the game 'can be considered'. [ 1 , 5 ]
Fox News reported that President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday that 'France is burning'. Fox also reported that the violence had drawn the attention of governments worldwide. [ 1 ]
The Saints arrived in France near Versailles, about 15 miles from Paris, according to Fox News. Newsweek quoted the NFL as saying the Saints were in Paris after flying following their game against the Giants, and that the Steelers were due to fly out on Thursday. AP reported that Saints players said they would steer clear of protest hotspots, and that the Saints' Jordan and Kamara watched PSG win. Fox News said an NFL vice president called the league 'vigilant' on security, and CNN reported that Goodell said the NFL is comfortable with the security around the game. [ 4 , 5 , 7 , 12 , 15 , 18 ]
Newsweek reported fan backlash over the decision to play. Fox News and Newsweek reported that Dani Watt, wife of Steelers player TJ Watt, questioned the decision, and Fox said she did so on her Instagram story. [ 13 , 14 , 19 ]
Why it matters
The game would be the NFL's first regular-season game in France, and it is scheduled amid unrest and new protests called for October 24. The league's decision has drawn public criticism, and the documents show it is still keeping a venue change open if conditions worsen.
Key facts
- The NFL said preparations continue as scheduled for the game at the Stade de France, and that there has been no disruption or impact at league sites. [ 1 , 5 ]
- The New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers are due to play on October 25 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris. [ 1 , 5 ]
- AP and Reuters headlines report the game is going forward with heightened security. [ 2 , 9 , 10 ]
- French authorities said more than 2,500 people were arrested and nearly 1,000 members of the security forces were injured in the weekend unrest, according to Newsweek. [ 5 ]
- Organizers have called for new protests on Saturday, October 24, according to Newsweek. [ 5 ]
- A league source told Fox News Digital that a venue change could be made if the situation became untenable. [ 1 , 5 ]
- Dani Watt, wife of Steelers player TJ Watt, publicly questioned the NFL's decision to play the game in France. [ 14 , 19 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The NFL said the game will go ahead at the Stade de France and that preparations continue as scheduled. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 10 ]
- The NFL said it is working closely with local authorities and partners on security and giving both clubs regular updates. [ 1 , 5 ]
- The game is described as the NFL's first in France. [ 1 , 5 , 7 ]
- Dani Watt, wife of TJ Watt, questioned the NFL's decision to play the game. [ 14 , 19 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the game will be moved to another venue. The NFL says the game is on, but a league source quoted by Fox News Digital said a venue change could be made if events warrant it.
- The scale of arrests in the unrest. Fox News cited reports of arrests climbing from 1,000 to 1,800 on October 18, while Newsweek cited French authorities for more than 2,500 arrests on October 19.
- How big the marches were. Fox News cited reports of 500,000 to 800,000 marchers; no other document gives a figure.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On October 18 Fox News reported that the NFL was monitoring the street violence in France and had no current plan to move the game. [ 1 ]
- On October 18 AP reported that the NFL said the Steelers-Saints game in Paris was still on despite civil unrest. [ 2 ]
- On October 20 Reuters reported that the Paris game would go forward with heightened security amid unrest. [ 10 ]
- On October 21 CNN reported that Goodell said the NFL is comfortable with security around Sunday's Paris game. [ 18 ]