The NFL is preparing to hold its first regular-season game in France this weekend as the European country emerges from some of its worst unrest in years and braces for another round of demonstrations.
The game comes at a volatile moment, as organizers have called for new protests on Saturday, October 24, one day before the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to meet outside Paris.
For now, the league says the game will proceed at Stade de France, although a league source told Fox News Digital that moving the game "can be considered" if conditions warrant.
The October 25 matchup would become the NFL's first regular-season game in France, part of the league's continued expansion into international markets. The league said Sunday that preparations were continuing as planned and that nothing had been disrupted at its sites.
"Preparations continue as scheduled for NFL events and the game at Stade de France Sunday," the NFL told Newsweek. "We continue to work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters. We are also providing the two clubs with regular updates. There’s been no disruption or impact at league sites.
"The Saints are on the ground in Paris after flying following yesterday’s game at the Giants. The Steelers fly out Thursday late afternoon as scheduled."
The league added that the Saints and Steelers were receiving regular updates.
That assurance comes after a weekend when mass demonstrations over living costs and public services turned into rioting in parts of France. More than 2,500 people were arrested and nearly 1,000 members of the security forces were injured, according to French authorities. Buildings were set ablaze and shops were looted as groups of masked rioters clashed with police.
France is preparing for the possibility that the unrest will continue. Organizers have called for another round of protests on Saturday, while French authorities have begun imposing localized curfews as they try to restore order.
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Why Are There Protests in France?
The current protest movement began in September, when students demanded improvements to France's public schools, including more staff and resources. The demonstrations later grew into a broader expression of dissatisfaction with the overall rising cost of living and declining public services.
Authorities say more than half a million people demonstrated across France on Saturday. Many protesters were peaceful, but demonstrations in some cities descended into violence as masked groups attacked law enforcement, entered public buildings, looted businesses and set fires.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned those responsible for the violence while acknowledging the grievances of peaceful protesters.
"Those who destroyed must pay," Macron said Sunday. "Those who looted must pay back. Those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable."
Macron also called for talks with students, teachers, unions and other groups this week. His government faces pressure over how it has handled the protesters' concerns and over its security response after Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged that authorities had "lost control" during the unrest. Nuñez offered his resignation Monday, but Macron declined to accept it.
France 24 is reporting that organizers are seeking renewed protests as authorities impose partial curfews in response to the weekend's violence.
When Is the NFL Paris Game?
The New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to play Sunday, October 25, with kickoff at 2:30 p.m. local time (9:30 a.m. ET).
As of Monday, the NFL had not announced any change to the date or location. The league said it was working with French authorities and local partners on security while keeping both teams informed about developments.
The Saints traveled to France after playing on Sunday and planned to practice there during the week. The Steelers plan to stay in Pittsburgh for practices before traveling to France later in the week.
Newsweek has reached out to the Saints and Steelers for comment.
Where Will the NFL Game in Paris Be Played?
The game is scheduled for Stade de France in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris. It is the country's largest stadium.
The location puts the event in the wider Paris metropolitan area, after a weekend when some of the most visible unrest occurred in the capital. CBS Pittsburgh reported looting and damage around Place de la République, about five miles south of Stade de France.
The NFL has said there has been "no disruption or impact at league sites." The Saints have offered a similar assessment. Team spokesman Greg Bensel said Sunday that members of its football operations and security staff had already been in France and that its team sites had not been disrupted.
"We concur with the NFL's statement and are planning to play the game," Bensel said, adding that the team had maintained daily updates with its security partners in France.
Could the NFL Paris Game Be Moved?
Fox News Digital's OutKick reported that a league source said a venue change "can be considered" if conditions warrant.
Any move would come with logistical complications this late in preparations. New Orleans is the designated home team, while the teams, league personnel and fans have already made travel plans around a game in France.
The timing of the next demonstrations could become important. Organizers have called for renewed protests on Saturday, the day before the game, while the French government has promised a stronger security presence. France 24 reported Monday that Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he was "absolutely determined to restore public order."
France Braces for New 'Act II' Protests
The Yellow Vest coordination group behind the October 17 mobilization has announced what it calls "Act II" for Saturday. Calls for demonstrations are spreading online, and organizers have published a map identifying planned mobilization points across France.
The plans remain fluid, particularly in Paris. The organizers' map includes proposed gathering locations, but a location on the map does not necessarily mean French authorities have formally declared or approved the demonstration.
The renewed mobilization comes as authorities try to prevent a repeat of the destruction that followed last weekend's demonstrations. France 24 reported that several cities were introducing partial curfews and that the government was considering additional measures if necessary.
The unrest has persisted into Monday. Protesters have blocked the entrance to the Louvre, while local restrictions have been introduced elsewhere as authorities attempt to protect businesses.
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What Is the Latest Travel Advice for Americans Visiting France?
France remains under a Level 2 State Department travel advisory, which says Americans should "exercise increased caution" because of terrorism and unrest. That advisory was issued on May 28, 2025, not in response to this weekend's rioting, and it remains active.
The more recent U.S. government guidance came from the U.S. Embassy in Paris on October 16, ahead of Saturday's demonstrations. The embassy warned Americans that protests and gatherings scheduled across France could disrupt travel and could lead to last-minute Metro and rail closures, as well as road delays.
The embassy advised Americans to avoid demonstration areas, exercise caution if they unexpectedly encounter a large gathering, monitor local media, check for transportation disruptions and allow additional travel time.
Separate governments have issued new warnings after the weekend's violence. Reuters reported Monday that countries including Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland and China advised their citizens to exercise caution or avoid demonstrations in France. Germany warned that further unrest in the coming days could not be ruled out, while Malaysia advised its nationals to consider postponing nonessential travel.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Samantha Beech and Geoffrey Rowland.