NFL Paris 2026: Steelers vs Saints at the Stade de France
On Sunday 25 October 2026 at 2:30pm Paris time, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints play the first NFL regular-season game ever staged in France. Kickoff, TV coverage, tickets and background.
On Sunday, October 25, 2026, the NFL plays its first regular-season game on French soil. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints meet at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris, in a fixture American football fans have been waiting years to see. This guide pulls together what matters for NFL Paris 2026: kickoff time, how to watch, the wider international schedule, a short introduction to both franchises, security, matchday tips and what may come next. The game has not been played yet as we write, so there are no results here, only reliable reference points.
NFL Paris 2026 game facts: Steelers vs Saints at the Stade de France
Here is the information worth keeping to hand.
- Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026.
- Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. Paris time, which is 9:30 a.m. Eastern.
- Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, with a capacity of about 80,000.
- Designated home team: the New Orleans Saints, for whom this counts as one of their nine home games of the season. Saints season-ticket holders get 10% off tickets and parking. The Steelers are the visitors.
- Broadcast in France: France Télévisions, free-to-air and exclusive, also streamed on france.tv, with coverage starting at 2:10 p.m.
The NFL Paris Game is presented by American Express, with the agencies Infront and Publicis involved in the organization and GL events among the partners. For directions and logistics, read our Stade de France NFL guide.
First regular-season NFL game in France: why Paris 2026 matters
Until now France had never hosted an official regular-season league game. The Steelers–Saints meeting on October 25, 2026 is therefore a genuine first for American football in the country. For local fans it means seeing a real championship game with real stakes, not just an exhibition.
It also fits a broader trend. The league has been adding games outside the United States for several seasons to reach new audiences, and Europe has become a favorite stage. Paris joining the list of host cities reflects the interest of a lively French market, where grassroots play is growing and curiosity keeps rising.
What NFL Paris 2026 means for fans in France
A Parisian can now attend a league game without boarding a plane, and a viewer at home can watch it for free thanks to the free-to-air broadcast. That combination of stadium access and screen access is one of the most striking parts of the day.
The 9 NFL international games of 2026: where Paris fits
The 2026 season features a record number of international games: nine matches across seven countries. Steelers–Saints is one of them.
| Date | City and stadium | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| September 10 | Melbourne (MCG) | 49ers – Rams |
| September 27 | Rio de Janeiro (Maracanã) | Ravens – Cowboys |
| October 4 | London (Tottenham) | Colts – Commanders |
| October 11 | London (Tottenham) | Eagles – Jaguars |
| October 18 | London (Wembley) | Texans – Jaguars |
| October 25 | Paris (Stade de France) | Steelers – Saints |
| November 8 | Madrid (Bernabéu) | Bengals – Falcons |
| November 15 | Munich (Bayern stadium, Allianz Arena) | Patriots – Lions |
| November 22 | Mexico City (Estadio Banorte) | Vikings – 49ers |
London hosts three games, Paris one, and there is no game in Berlin this season. To compare destinations, see our page on NFL international games in Europe.
Steelers and Saints: meet the two franchises playing in Paris in 2026
Without drifting into statistics we cannot verify here, a quick word on what each team represents.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, a historic franchise in Paris in 2026
The Steelers are among the league's oldest and most recognizable franchises. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the team is associated with a proud defensive tradition and an extremely loyal fan base, easy to spot in black and gold. AFC North champions last season with a 10-7 record, they arrive in Saint-Denis as the visiting team.
The New Orleans Saints, a lively identity for NFL Paris 2026
The Saints represent New Orleans, a city known for its music, food and festivals. Their upbeat, welcoming fan culture should feel right at home in the Paris stands. As the designated home side they host the afternoon. There is also a direct link with the French capital: the franchise holds the NFL's marketing rights for France (Global Markets program, awarded in 2023) and has a partnership with the Paris Musketeers, the local American football club.
The Saints, the Paris Musketeers and the local roots of NFL Paris 2026
The partnership between the Saints and the Paris Musketeers highlights something easy to overlook: the Saint-Denis game does not come out of nowhere. The city has its own club, founded in 2022, which played in the European League of Football from 2023 to 2025 before joining the European Football Alliance in 2026. The team plays mainly at Stade Bauer in Saint-Ouen.
Around it, a wider scene is taking shape: the French American football federation (FFFA), the NFL Flag France youth program launched in 2023, and long-standing Paris-region clubs such as the Flash de La Courneuve. For the bigger picture, read our overview of American football in Paris.
Enhanced security for the NFL game at the Stade de France in 2026
National demonstrations took place in France on October 17 and turned violent at times. On October 18 the NFL confirmed that the Paris game would go ahead as planned, in coordination with the authorities and with reinforced security. There is no need to overstate it: major events at the Stade de France are used to this kind of planning.
For spectators it mostly comes down to practical habits. Allow extra time at the gates, keep your ticket and ID within reach, travel light and follow staff instructions. Before leaving, check the official channels of the league and the stadium, where any last-minute update will appear.
Matchday tips for Steelers vs Saints at the Stade de France in Paris 2026
Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. on a Sunday, which leaves time to arrive calmly, but public transport will be busy.
- RER B ("La Plaine – Stade de France") and RER D ("Stade de France – Saint-Denis") both serve the stadium.
- Metro line 13 ("Saint-Denis – Porte de Paris") is about 700 meters away, a 5 to 10 minute walk. The RATP suggests particular stations depending on your gate, for example line 13 for the north gates R and S.
- Metro line 14 ("Saint-Denis Pleyel") and line 12 ("Front Populaire") mean a longer walk of roughly 20 and 25 minutes.
On tickets, buy through official channels. Tickets for the NFL Paris Game 2026 were sold through Ticketmaster France, alongside hospitality and travel packages. If you look for a seat from a private seller, never wire money to a stranger and do not rely on a simple screenshot of a ticket. Our NFL Paris tickets page lists the 2026 price benchmarks, from 91.22 to 425.75 euros all-in depending on the category.
After NFL Paris 2026: will the Steelers, Saints or other teams return to Paris in 2027?
In late May 2026 the league's owners approved up to ten international games per season starting in 2027, up from eight. Commissioner Roger Goodell has set a longer-term goal of 16 international games. Against that backdrop a return of the NFL to Paris in 2027 looks very likely, and the capital is a natural candidate, especially given the excitement around this first game.
Note, however, that nothing official has been announced: no host city, no date and no matchup for 2027, and no multi-year agreement is confirmed for Paris. The schedule is usually released in the spring. We will alert you as soon as the official announcement is made: leave your email with the form at the bottom of the page, then follow everything on our NFL Paris 2027 page.
NFL Paris 2026 Steelers vs Saints: your questions
What time is kickoff for the NFL Paris 2026 game between the Steelers and Saints?
Kickoff for Steelers vs Saints at the Stade de France is 2:30 p.m. Paris time on Sunday, October 25, 2026, which is 9:30 a.m. Eastern. In France, France Télévisions broadcasts the game free-to-air, with coverage starting at 2:10 p.m.
Where can I watch the NFL Paris 2026 Steelers vs Saints game in France?
The game airs free-to-air and exclusively on France Télévisions in France, and is also available on france.tv. Coverage begins at 2:10 p.m., twenty minutes before the 2:30 p.m. kickoff. No paid subscription is needed to follow this NFL Paris Game.
Which team is the home team in NFL Paris 2026?
The New Orleans Saints are the designated home team for the Paris 2026 game against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers. It counts as one of the Saints' nine home games this season. The match is played at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, which holds about 80,000 spectators.
Is the NFL Paris 2026 game between the Steelers and Saints still on?
Yes. After the national demonstrations of October 17, the NFL confirmed on October 18 that the Paris game would go ahead, in coordination with the authorities and with reinforced security. For last-minute information, check the official channels of the league and the Stade de France.
Will there be an NFL game in Paris in 2027 after Steelers vs Saints in 2026?
A return of the NFL to Paris in 2027 is considered very likely, since owners approved up to ten international games per season from 2027. But nothing official has been announced: no city, date or matchup. Sign up for the email alert to be told as soon as it is.
Beyond NFL Paris 2026: more guides
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