Published October 20, 2026 08:15 PM
The game in Paris between the Steelers and Saints will go on as scheduled Sunday. The NFL, though, said it will heighten security in light of the civil unrest in the French capital.
NFL executive Peter O’Reilly said Tuesday the league is coordinating with the U.S. State Department and Parisian and national authorities overseas.
“There’s nothing more important from our standpoint than the teams’ security, the fans’ security — everybody involved with this game,” O’Reilly said at the fall league meetings, via the Associated Press. “Obviously being very vigilant in everything we do, in all of our planning on an hour-by-hour basis, working closely with the two teams.”
Rioting erupted across France on Saturday as demonstrators protested rising living costs and declining public services. It was the country’s worst civil unrest in years, with violence and looting in major cities as rioters clashed with police.
The NFL did not consider moving the game, which is being played at Stade de France outside of Paris in Saint-Denis. It marks the NFL’s first game in France.
“We feel confident that we would not have any impact on the broader resources needed,” O’Reilly said. “That’s always top of mind for us, and we feel confident that we wouldn’t be depleting resources in a negative way around this game.”
The Saints flew to Paris after their victory over the Giants on Sunday. The Steelers will travel later this week.