NFL party goes off without hitch despite unrest in France

The Stade de France is seen ahead of a game between the Steelers and Saints in Saint Denis, France, on Sunday. | IMAGN IMAGES / VIA REUTERS

Oct 26, 2026

Paris – The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-10 in the first NFL regular-season game in Paris on Sunday, in a calm and festive atmosphere, a day after fresh demonstrations drew more than 100,000 people into the French capital.

The nationwide protests largely overshadowed the buildup to the game, with some fan and NFL events canceled over the weekend, mainly due to their location in central Paris.

On Sunday, as Saturday’s rain gave way to sunshine, the mood was peaceful before kickoff around the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, some 10 kilometers north of Paris’ city center and more than 13 km  from Porte d’Italie, where Saturday’s protests began in southern Paris.

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