Pittsburgh Steelers vs New Orleans Saints - NFL Paris Game 2026
Previous American football matches at the Stade de France
Pittsburgh Steelers vs New Orleans Saints - NFL Paris Game 2026
The National Football League (NFL) is the leading professional American football league in the United States.
It brings together the franchises competing at the sport’s highest level and organises one of the most widely followed sporting championships across the Atlantic each season.
Over the years, the NFL has expanded its reach far beyond the borders of the United States, turning American football into a true sporting spectacle followed by millions of fans across the globe. The intensity of the matches, the players’ performances and the passion of the supporters all contribute to the competition’s unique identity.
With its major events and distinctive identity, the NFL now occupies a prominent place on the international sporting scene.
The choice of the Stade de France to host this fixture in the regular season is a testament to the recognition of its high standards and the operational expertise of its teams.
Organised with the support of the Ministry of Sport, Youth and Community Life, the French American Football Federation (FFFA), Plaine Commune, the City of Saint-Denis, the City of Paris, the Greater Paris Metropolis and the Île-de-France Region, this event is fully in line with the Stade de France’s drive towards international outreach, whilst resolutely strengthening its local roots and contributing to the attractiveness and economic and social development of its surrounding area.
This exceptional event is a major highlight for all American football fans, both in France and far beyond its borders.
THE NFL IN FRANCE
The NFL is enjoying a growing presence in France, with over 14 million fans. Flag football, the non-contact version of the sport, will make its debut as an Olympic sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Games (LA28), a major event that will further strengthen ties between France and the cities of Seattle and Los Angeles, both of which are actively involved in developing the sport. NFL Flag, the official youth flag football programme, was launched in France in 2023 in partnership with the FFFA and already reaches more than 8,000 young people. Its success is based on strong engagement from partners, a structured organisation and the promotion of videos, educational content and dedicated events.
A VENUE WORTHY OF THE EVENT
Opened in 1998, the Stade de France has established itself as the venue of choice for major sporting and cultural events. As a multi-purpose venue, it hosts a wide range of international events, from major football competitions to concerts by world-renowned artists. Its versatility makes it an event venue in its own right.
The stadium is the only one in the world to have hosted a FIFA World Cup, a Rugby World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals and UEFA European Championship finals, and to have played a major role in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
THE NFL AROUND THE WORLD
To date, 62 NFL regular-season matches have been played outside the United States, thrilling iconic cities such as London, Berlin, Munich, Madrid, São Paulo, Mexico City, Toronto and Dublin.
Under the leadership of its Commissioner, Roger Goodell, the League continues to pit the best teams against one another in front of ever-growing international audiences, drawn in by a spectacular sport amplified by proactive marketing and a clear expansion strategy.
Today, Paris joins this circle of major sporting capitals, further cementing its status as a major international stage, driven by a rich sporting culture and a passionate following.
