Story perspectives

NFL Announces Saints-Steelers First France Regular-Season Game Oct. 25

By Drooid · Oct 19, 2026, 6:01 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

NFL Announces France Game

The NFL announced the Saints and Steelers will play the first regular-season game in France on Oct. 25.
The game will be held at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, at 8:30 a.m. ET.
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said preparations and security coordination continue.
French police reported nearly 2,400 arrests and 997 officer injuries during the unrest.
President Emmanuel Macron called an emergency meeting and will address the nation at 8 p.m.

Summary

Laurent Nunez Reports Arrests

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported nearly 1,800 arrests and more than 500 police, gendarmes and firefighters injured.
A 17-year-old boy lost his right hand after a crowd-control grenade exploded in Saint-Étienne.
Protesters set fire to Limoges’ 19th-century town hall, sparking a march of roughly 7,000 residents.
President Emmanuel Macron scheduled a televised address for 20:00 GMT on Sunday following the unrest.

History

Historical Context

The May 1968 protests in France, ignited by student strikes at the University of Nanterre, compelled President Charles de Gaulle to call a national referendum. French police documented roughly 22,000 arrests and 1,500 injured officers across Paris, Lyon, and university towns during the three-month upheaval. Current unrest in Saint-Étienne and Limoges mirrors 1968, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reporting nearly 2,000 arrests and over 500 police injuries, while President Emmanuel Macron prepares a televised address. The recurrence signals enduring social fractures, urging French authorities to contemplate systemic reforms to prevent future nationwide disruptions.

1 of 3

NFL Announces France Game

The NFL announced the Saints and Steelers will play the first regular-season game in France on Oct. 25.
The game will be held at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, at 8:30 a.m. ET.
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said preparations and security coordination continue.
French police reported nearly 2,400 arrests and 997 officer injuries during the unrest.
President Emmanuel Macron called an emergency meeting and will address the nation at 8 p.m.

1 / 3