The NFL is preparing to hold its first regular-season game in France this weekend as the European country emerges from some of its worst unrest in years and braces for another round of demonstrations. The game comes at a volatile moment, as organizers have called for new protests on Saturday, October 24, one day before the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to meet outside Paris. For now, the league says the game will proceed at Stade de France, although a league source told Fox News Digital that moving the game "can be considered" if conditions warrant.
The October 25 matchup would become the NFL's first regular-season game in France, part of the league's continued expansion into international markets. The league said Sunday that preparations were continuing as planned and that nothing had been disrupted at its sites. "Preparations continue as scheduled for NFL events and the game at Stade de France Sunday," the NFL told Newsweek.
"We continue to work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters. We are also providing the two clubs with regular updates. There’s been no disruption or impact at league sites.
"The Saints are on the ground in Paris after flying following yesterday’s game at the Giants. The Steelers fly out Thursday late afternoon as scheduled." The league added that the Saints and Steelers were receiving regular updates. That assurance comes after a weekend when mass demonstrations over living costs and public services turned into rioting in parts of France.
More than 2,500 people were arrested and nearly 1,000 members of the security forces were injured, according to French authorities. Buildings were set ablaze and shops were looted as groups of masked rioters clashed with police. France is preparing for the possibility that the unrest will continue.
Organizers have called for another round of protests on Saturday, while French authorities have begun imposing localized curfews as they try to restore order. The current protest movement began in September, when students demanded improvements to France's public schools, including more staff and resources. The demonstrations later grew into a broader expression of dissatisfaction with the overall rising cost of living and declining public services.
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