American football in Paris: clubs, games and the NFL
Paris Musketeers, Flash de La Courneuve, flag football and NFL Flag: American football in Paris goes well beyond the NFL game at the Stade de France. A guide to following, watching and playing the sport in the Paris region.
On 25 October 2026, the Stade de France hosts the first regular-season NFL game ever played in France. But American football in Paris is much more than one headline fixture. For several years, clubs, a national federation and youth programmes have been building the sport across the Paris region and beyond. This guide covers the teams worth knowing, the way to get involved yourself, and the link with the NFL. This is an independent site with no affiliation to the NFL.
American football in Paris: a growing scene
The Paris region has what it takes to sustain American football: a base of youth-development clubs, an active national federation, stadiums of different sizes and a curious public raised on NFL broadcasts. The sport is played at several levels, in full-contact teams with helmets and pads, and also in a non-contact version called flag, which has become the favourite entry point for children and beginners.
Two kinds of events sit side by side. On one hand, European and national competitions where Île-de-France teams carry the local colours. On the other, big international occasions such as the 2026 NFL game, which put the capital in the spotlight. They feed each other: a spectator won over by the atmosphere of a huge stadium often wants to watch a club game next, and the reverse is true too.
Paris Musketeers: the flagship of American football in the capital
The Paris Musketeers franchise was announced on 23 September 2022. It joined the European league ELF for the 2023 season and finished 6-6 at the Stade Jean-Bouin. In 2024 the team took a big step forward: 10 wins against 2 defeats and a semi-final, lost to Vienna, again at Jean-Bouin. In 2025 it ended on a 7-5 record, playing at the Stade Robert-Bobin in Bondoufle.
Jack Del Rio and the Saints partnership in American football
The name of Jack Del Rio, a former NFL head coach, has been attached to the club: he was recruited in January 2025. We will not say more about his current role, since his 2026 status has not been verified. Another notable NFL connection: the New Orleans Saints have a partnership with the Paris Musketeers, which carries extra meaning because the Saints play in Saint-Denis on 25 October 2026.
From the ELF to the EFA: American football in 2026
At the end of 2025, eleven franchises left the ELF to create the European Football Alliance (EFA). In 2026 the Musketeers play there with five other teams: Frankfurt Galaxy, Raiders Tirol, Munich Ravens, Nordic Storm and Prague Lions. Paris finished fourth with 4 wins and 6 defeats. The title went to Nordic Storm, who beat the Munich Ravens 48-28 on 29 August 2026 in Innsbruck. The team plays mainly at the Stade Bauer in Saint-Ouen, with two home games in Bondoufle.
Flash de La Courneuve and the French American football championship
You cannot tell the story of French American football without the Flash de La Courneuve. This Paris-region club holds the record for national titles with 12, the latest in 2022. The trophy has a fitting name: the Casque de Diamant (Diamond Helmet), awarded to the winner of the national final.
The French championship runs on a divisional model, with a top tier and lower levels where many Paris-area clubs compete. It is an excellent way to watch the game up close, in a friendly atmosphere and usually at far more affordable prices than a major event. Check with clubs or the federation for the calendar of the current season.
The FFFA and NFL Flag France: American football for young players
The Fédération française de football américain, the FFFA, organises the sport in France: licences, competitions, coach and referee training. It is the natural contact for finding a club or understanding the rules at each level.
NFL Flag France: over 8,000 children in American football
Launched in 2023 together with the FFFA, NFL Flag France is a youth programme that has already reached more than 8,000 children. The idea of flag is simple: nobody is tackled, you pull one of the ribbons clipped to the ball carrier's belt. The game stays fast and tactical without heavy contact, which makes it ideal for a first taste of American football.
The 2025 flag European Championship in Choisy, a showcase for American football
Flag stepped into a new spotlight with the 2025 European flag championship, held in the Paris area, in Choisy (Val-de-Marne), from 24 to 27 September 2025. An event like that shows the region can host high-level international competition.
How to play American football in Paris and Île-de-France
Whatever your age, there is a way in. Here is a simple path.
- Pick your version. Flag is ideal for beginners and kids; the equipped version suits anyone who wants contact and competition.
- Find an FFFA-affiliated club. Use the federation's resources to locate clubs in the Paris region near you.
- Get in touch and try a session. Most clubs offer trial sessions; ask about schedules, required kit and licence conditions.
- Plan your equipment. For contact versions the club will tell you what is supplied and what to buy. Do not buy blind before talking to a coach.
- Register for the season. A licence, a medical certificate and insurance are the usual steps.
Women and men, youngsters and adults all find a place: the sport has many different positions, from the quarterback to the kicking specialist, via the linemen and the receivers.
From club American football to the NFL in Paris
The Pittsburgh Steelers against the New Orleans Saints on 25 October 2026, kicking off at 14:30 Paris time at the Stade de France, is the first regular-season NFL game in France. It is shown free-to-air on France Télévisions and on france.tv. For the full picture of the game, see our page on the Steelers v Saints game; for getting to the venue, read the Stade de France guide. To follow ticketing, head to the NFL Paris tickets page, which relies on the league's official channels.
What comes next? In May 2026 NFL owners approved up to 10 international games per season from 2027. No host city has been named so far, and there is no official announcement for Paris in 2027. A return is nonetheless very likely: the buzz around the first game and the weight of the French market make the capital a natural candidate. The NFL schedule is usually released in the spring. Sign up for the e-mail alert at the bottom of the page and we will tell you as soon as the official news lands. For the bigger picture, see also the NFL Paris 2027 page.
For fans of local clubs, the NFL effect is an opportunity: every big event draws newcomers towards the pitches, the intro sessions and the stands of Paris-area clubs. Whether you came for the Steelers, the Saints or plain curiosity, American football in Paris has room for you all year round.
American football in Paris: FAQ
Where can I watch American football in Paris?
In 2026 the Paris Musketeers play in the European Football Alliance, mainly at the Stade Bauer in Saint-Ouen, with two home games in Bondoufle. Other Paris-region clubs compete in the FFFA French championship. Check club and federation calendars for upcoming games near you, often at very accessible prices.
What are the best-known American football clubs in Paris?
Two names stand out: the Paris Musketeers, a franchise announced in 2022 that played in the ELF from 2023 to 2025 and in the EFA in 2026, and the Flash de La Courneuve, a Paris-region club with a record 12 French titles, the latest in 2022. Many other clubs exist across Île-de-France.
How do I start playing American football in Paris?
Choose your version first: flag, with no tackling, suits kids and beginners, while the equipped version offers contact. Then find an FFFA-affiliated club near you, ask for a trial session, and check licence and kit details with the coach before you commit to the season.
What is NFL Flag France in American football?
It is a youth programme launched in 2023 with the French American football federation. It introduces flag, a version without tackling where players pull a ribbon from the belt, and has already reached more than 8,000 children. It is a simple, safe way into the sport.
Will the NFL return to Paris after the 2026 American football game?
A return is very likely: owners approved up to 10 international games per season from 2027 and the first Paris game has created real excitement. However, no official announcement has been made on host city or dates. Sign up for the e-mail alert to hear as soon as it is confirmed.
American football and the NFL in Paris: more guides
Home › American football in Paris