Paris will host its first NFL regular season game in 2026, as the League continues to focus on global growth efforts and expanding the international games slate to more countries around the world.
The history-making game in France will take place at the Stade de France – the country’s national stadium – with the New Orleans Saints named as one of the participating teams.
“Bringing a regular season game to Paris in 2026 marks an exciting next step in the continued expansion of the League’s global footprint,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Paris is one of the world’s greatest sporting and cultural cities with tremendous success in hosting global events that unite fans on the biggest stages. Playing our first ever regular season game at the impressive Stade de France, together with the New Orleans Saints, underlines our continued global growth ambitions and we look forward to bringing the NFL to our passionate fans in France.”
The game will be played in partnership with GL events with support from the French Department of Sports, Youth and Community Life, the Fédération Française de Football Américain (FFFA), Plaine Commune, Ville de Saint Denis, Ville de Paris, Métropole du Grand Paris and Région Ile de France.
“Hosting the first NFL Paris game at the Stade de France reflects a shared ambition and showcases our ability to bring together different sporting cultures, deliver operational excellence and position Paris and France as a welcoming destination for the world’s greatest sporting events,” said Chairman of the GL events Group Olivier Ginon. “Together with the support of the State, local authorities, as well as tourism and hospitality stakeholders, GL events Group is honored and proud to work with the NFL to write this new chapter in the history of the Stade de France, fully in line with the legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The Stade de France, built in 1998, is the country’s largest stadium. A multi-purpose venue, it hosts major international sport and entertainment events and is home to the French national soccer and rugby teams. It is the only stadium to have hosted a FIFA World Cup, Rugby World Cup, UEFA Champions League Finals, UEFA European Championship Finals and played a starring role in the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
The Saints have international marketing rights in France as part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program, an initiative that grants global marketing rights to clubs in markets outside of the U.S. to build brand awareness and fandom. All 32 NFL teams participate in the program with rights across 21 markets.
The NFL has a growing presence in France with over 14 million fans. Flag football, the non-contact format of the game, will make its debut as an Olympic sport in Los Angeles 2028 (LA28). NFL Flag – the League’s official youth flag football program – launched in France in 2023 in partnership with the FFFA and already reaches over 8,000 boys and girls, with plans to grow participation in the years ahead.