Will NFL's Paris debut go ahead amid protests? Everything fans need to know

The National Football League's (NFL) first regular-season game in France is set to go ahead despite widespread protests and security concerns across the country. The Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints are scheduled to face off at Stade de France in Saint-Denis at 9.30 am ET on Sunday, October 25.

The build-up to the historic fixture has been overshadowed by unrest that has disrupted several official fan activities in Paris. The league shut its NFL House event space and a pop-up shop on Rue Saint-Merri on Saturday, citing potential accessibility issues. The Steelers also cancelled a planned fan meetup at a bar in Bastille.

The demonstrations began in mid-September, with high school students protesting against underfunded schools. Union workers and Yellow Vest members later joined the protests, raising concerns over the cost of living. French police have made more than 6,600 arrests, according to the report.

NFL insists game will go ahead

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on Friday, has maintained that the match will proceed. Relocating the game was never seriously discussed, according to the league's position.

“Demonstrations in France are not unusual,” Goodell said.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers also expressed confidence in the league's decision, saying he believed officials would not bring teams to Paris if they considered the situation unsafe.

Macron's administration deployed approximately 70,000 security officers across France on Saturday. Authorities also authorised a permitted march from Bastille to Nation, away from the Stade de France corridor in Saint-Denis.

Could the venue change at the last minute?

A league source told Fox News Digital that a venue change “can be considered” if the security situation deteriorates significantly. However, no alternative venue or public contingency plan has been announced.

Moving the fixture would pose logistical challenges, with both teams, travelling supporters and broadcast crews already in France.

The US Embassy in Paris has issued a Level 2 advisory, urging American citizens to avoid demonstration areas and allow additional travel time because Metro and rail services could face sudden closures.

Concerns have also emerged among supporters and families of players. Dani Watt, wife of Steelers defensive player TJ Watt, questioned the decision to proceed amid the unrest in a social media post.

As of Sunday, the NFL's position remains unchanged: the historic Paris game is scheduled to take place despite the continuing protests.