On Sunday, October 25, 2026, the Stade de France will host the first ever National Football League game played on European soil, pitting the Pittsburgh Steelers against the New Orleans Saints. The matchup, billed as the 2026 NFL Paris Game, marks a milestone in the league’s ambition to bring American football to new audiences worldwide.
A New Era for the NFL
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local time, which translates to 9:30 a.m. on the U.S. East Coast, allowing fans across the Atlantic to tune in live. The contest will be presented by American Express and backed by a coalition of French authorities, with the French Ministry of Sports, Youth and Associative Life playing a key role in its organization.
Steelers President Art Rooney II expressed pride in the franchise’s participation, stating that representing the team in Paris is an honor that underscores the club’s global outreach. NFL Head of Europe and Asia Pacific Brett Gosper described the event as “a new chapter” in the league’s growth strategy, while Saints owner Gayle Benson highlighted the game’s potential to deepen cultural and economic ties between Louisiana and France.
French Minister Marina Ferrari emphasized the match’s educational impact, noting that it will introduce the sport to young people across the country and inspire the next generation of players. The stadium, the nation’s largest and a venue for numerous international competitions, provides a fitting backdrop for the historic occasion.
The Paris game is part of a broader slate of nine international fixtures planned for 2026, spanning four continents and seven countries. With more than 14 million fans already engaged in France, the NFL aims to accelerate its presence through flag‑football programs and community initiatives that make the sport accessible beyond traditional stadium settings.
Beyond the field, the event reflects a growing convergence of sport, commerce, and diplomacy, as the league leverages partnerships with brands, governmental bodies, and cultural institutions to cement football’s place in the global sporting landscape.