NFL monitors France street violence before Saints-Steelers game near Paris with a major decision looming
Now: Unrest erupts on the streets of France
Former NYPD inspector Paul Mauro and criminal defense attorney Josh Ritter join ‘Saturday in America’ to analyze escalating unrest across France as protesters clash with police, fires break out and businesses are vandalized in Paris. Mauro discusses the challenges facing French law enforcement as authorities respond to the violence.
The NFL is monitoring the street violence in France with no current plan to move its first-ever game in the country scheduled for next Sunday just north of Paris, but a league source said that can change if events warrant playing in a different venue.
Street violence erupted across France on Saturday when peaceful marches of 500,000 to 800,000 people, according to reports, devolved into masked groups clashing with police, looting businesses and setting fire to private property and public buildings, including the historic city hall in Limoges.
Reports on Sunday cited arrests climbing from 1,000 to 1,800, including 855 in the Paris region.
During the demonstration on 17 October in Limoges protesters set fire to the town hall in Limoges Haute-Vienne in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France on 17 October 2026. (Photo by Elise Cabane / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images) (Elise Cabane / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)
The violence in France has gotten the attention of governments worldwide, including the United States.
President Donald Trump posted on Sunday morning on Truth Social that “France is burning” and that “people with hatred in their hearts” have “shattered that once great country.”
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That potentially affects the NFL because it is scheduled to play at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis just north of Paris next Sunday when the New Orleans Saints “host” the Pittsburgh Steelers in a regular season game.
Tens of thousands of secondary school students and their supporters march from Republic to Nation square on Oct. 6, 2026, in Paris, France. Nationwide student protests and violent school riots have disrupted over 700 secondary schools and led to roughly 5,000 arrests across France. What began in late September 2026 as peaceful blockades in the low-income Paris suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis has rapidly escalated into a major public order crisis for President Emmanuel Macron’s government. (Guy Smallman/Getty Images)
The league’s position on the game last week was that the game in Paris is a go. “We look forward to welcoming fans to Paris later this month,” the league said in a statement.
But that was before things became violent.
The NFL’s chief spokesperson did not respond to an email from OutKick and Fox News Digital for clarification on the matter after the violence erupted.
But a league source, who requested anonymity, told OutKick on Sunday that the league has been working “with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters and if events warrant, a change in venue can be considered.”
The Saints and Steelers have previously shown the requisite amount of excitement about playing the league’s inaugural France game.
New Orleans Saints owner and CEO Gayle Benson looks on before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Caesars Superdome on Sept. 14, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
“Louisiana’s relationship with France is centuries deep, and this game represents another meaningful step in strengthening those cultural and economic ties,” Saints owner Gayle Benson said in a statement announcing the game.
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The Saints are scheduled to leave for Paris after Sunday’s game at the New York Giants, according to Saints executive vice president and general manager Mickey Loomis.
New Orleans is traveling to France directly from the New York area to shorten the trip, and the team plans to spend the entire week in France to acclimate to the time zone.
Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdowns as the Steelers beat the Colts 34-22, surpassing Peyton Manning for third in career touchdown passes, including the postseason. (Getty Images)
Moving Sunday’s scheduled game in France back to New Orleans would require some work. The Caesers Superdome is booked on Oct. 25 for an event.
Acrisure Stadium, where the Steelers play their home games, is not scheduled to hold an event that day.
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