Inside Paris' NFL stadium details: Everything to know about Stade de France for Steelers vs. Saints originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NFL continues its international series this weekend as the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints make history in Paris, France.
This will be the first time that the NFL has a game played in France, expanding its reach to another part of the world. Paris is one of the biggest cities in the world, and home to some exciting sports teams, so the NFL is considering this a milestone moment.
A game this important needs a stadium that fits the bill, which is what France was able to offer the league. The Saints and Steelers will be playing their game in one of the premier stadiums in Europe, Stade de France, which has hosted so many important events in the last three decades.
Here's what you need to know about Stade de France.
MORE:SN's latest NFL power rankings for Week 7
Where is Stade de France?
Stade de France is located in Saint-Denis, which is a suburb just outside of Paris. As it is a much newer stadium, Stade de France was easier to build on the outskirts of Paris instead of in the heart of the city, which was considered too small to host it.
MORE: Potential Troy Aikman landing spots should he leave ESPN
Stade de France capacity
Stade de France can hold a maximum capacity of 81,338 people, which is right in line with some of the largest capacities among NFL stadiums. When the Saints and Steelers take the field, it shouldn't feel too different than a typical football stadium in the United States.
MORE:The Sporting News' latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft
When did Stade de France open?
Stade de France opened in 1998, just months before the country hosted the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The entire project and construction occurred because Paris wanted a new stadium to use for hosting the World Cup, something that France hadn't done since 1938.
Before Stade de France opened, Parc des Princes, which is the home of Paris Saint-Germain, was the primary sports and event venue in the city. Once Stade de France was built, though, it instantly became one of the biggest and most popular stadiums in Europe.
MORE: Who is better: Drake Maye or Caleb Williams?
Who plays at Stade de France?
Stade de France is considered the national stadium of France, as it is the home stadium for France's national soccer and rugby teams. The stadium has been the backdrop for soccer in France as Les Bleus have grown into one of the best in the world.
La beauté de la Marseillaise a cappella au Stade de France 💙 ALLEZ LES BLEUS !! #FRAITA https://t.co/SyM3BYGhCK
— Stade de France (@StadeFrance) October 2, 2026
The stadium has hosted a variety of big events, including the 1998 World Cup, 2003 Confederations Cup, 2007 Rugby World Cup, 2016 UEFA Euro tournament and three UEFA Champions League finals. Additionally, Stade de France was one of many venues used during the 2024 Summer Olympics, which took place entirely in or around Paris.