President Donald Trump questioned the NFL’s decision to stage its first regular-season game in France as protests and security concerns disrupted fan activities across Paris. Despite the uncertainty, the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints played at Stade de France on Sunday, with Pittsburgh winning 16-10.
The game went ahead after organizers adjusted several events due to potential access issues and unrest in the French capital. The NFL closed its NFL House fan experience, shut a downtown pop-up shop and saw other activities canceled or postponed before kickoff.
Trump suggested that the league could have postponed the matchup, putting the focus on public safety and the challenges of organizing major international sporting events. NFL officials said they had coordinated with French and U.S. authorities as preparations continued.
Trump questions the decision to play in Paris
Trump voiced his concerns on Friday, Oct. 23, as France prepared for demonstrations linked to the cost of living. He told reporters that the NFL “could have probably postponed” the Steelers-Saints game, according to contemporaneous reporting.
His comments came amid reports of unrest during earlier demonstrations and concerns that fresh protests could disrupt transportation, public access and events across the capital. Trump questioned whether holding a major sporting event under those circumstances was the right decision.
The NFL did not postpone the game. Organizers continued preparations for Sunday’s matchup while adjusting several fan activities elsewhere in Paris. The decision allowed the main event to proceed even as security concerns affected parts of the wider schedule.
Security concerns disrupt NFL fan events
The NFL closed its NFL House attraction on Saturday, Oct. 24, citing potential accessibility issues as the city prepared for protests. The decision followed the closure of the league’s downtown pop-up shop, which had disrupted activities planned for visiting fans.
The Pittsburgh Steelers also canceled a planned fan gathering in the Bastille neighborhood after area disturbances raised concerns. The event was separate from the game itself, and preparations continued for the matchup at Stade de France.
The New Orleans Saints postponed their Saints House event until Sunday. These changes affected the broader fan experience, but they did not lead to the cancellation or postponement of the NFL game. Fans had to follow updated announcements as plans changed.
The NFL coordinated with French and U.S. authorities
NFL officials said they worked with French and U.S. authorities to prepare for the game. The planning involved communication with local officials and adjustments as conditions developed in the days before kickoff.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said preparations had been made, while the league maintained that protests could be considered in its planning without automatically preventing the game from taking place. Organizers proceeded with the matchup while addressing concerns about public gatherings.
The U.S. State Department also issued a security alert advising Americans attending the game to exercise caution and remain aware of their surroundings. The guidance reflected concerns about demonstrations and changing conditions, rather than announcing that the event itself had been canceled.
Paris protests affect more than football
The disruption extended beyond NFL activities. Several major Paris museums, including the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, closed on Saturday as authorities prepared for demonstrations and sought to limit the risk of further violence. The closures affected visitors beyond the football crowd.
French soccer was also affected. Paris Saint-Germain’s scheduled match against Lyon was moved from Sunday to Monday at the request of Paris police, according to contemporary reports. The change showed that event organizers across the city were responding to the same unsettled conditions.
France’s Interior Ministry estimated that 410,000 people took part in demonstrations nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris. Clashes were reported in several locations. The figures were government estimates, while the extent of disruption varied across the capital and other areas.
Steelers and Saints complete the historic matchup
Despite concerns during the buildup, the game was played Sunday at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris. Pittsburgh defeated New Orleans 16-10 in the first regular-season NFL game held in France.
Reports described a calm atmosphere around the stadium, even after large demonstrations took place elsewhere in the country. Fans attended the matchup, and the game proceeded as scheduled despite the changes to several activities outside the venue.
The Steelers improved to 5-2 with the victory, while the Saints fell to 2-5. New Orleans managed only 18 rushing yards, according to the team’s official recap. The result gave Pittsburgh the win, closing out a week dominated by questions about security and access.
The game marks a milestone for the NFL’s international plans
The Paris matchup added France to the NFL’s history of regular-season international games. Playing abroad gives the league an opportunity to reach audiences outside the United States, but it also requires coordination among teams, event organizers, local authorities and venue operators.
The weekend showed how an international game involves more than the action inside a stadium. Fan gatherings, pop-up shops, exhibitions and promotional events can be spread across different neighborhoods, where transportation access and security conditions may change independently of the venue.
The NFL was able to stage the game, but not every planned activity went ahead as originally intended. Organizers adjusted events in response to changing conditions, illustrating how large sporting events may require separate plans for stadium operations and public-facing activities across a city.
What the Paris weekend means for fans and organizers
For fans who traveled to Paris, the changing schedule made official updates particularly important. The NFL’s OnePass app was used to communicate information about fan activities, including the closure of NFL House, helping visitors understand changes to the event program.
The weekend also highlighted the value of clear communication when a major sporting event coincides with demonstrations. Timely announcements, transportation information and coordination with public authorities can help visitors make informed decisions when some activities may be changed or canceled.
Trump’s criticism focused attention on the decision to proceed, while the completed game showed that the league maintained its plans for the main event. The weekend marked a milestone for the NFL while presenting practical challenges for organizers working amid security concerns in a major city.
Fun fact: The Steelers-Saints matchup attracted 78,488 fans to Stade de France, according to the New Orleans Saints’ official game recap. The 16-10 contest was the first regular-season NFL game played in France, adding a new milestone to the league’s international history.
TL;DR
- Donald Trump questioned the NFL’s decision to hold its Paris game amid protests and security concerns.
- The NFL closed NFL House and its downtown pop-up shop, while other fan activities were canceled or postponed.
- The U.S. State Department advised Americans attending the game to exercise caution and stay aware of their surroundings.
- The Steelers defeated the Saints 16-10 in the first regular-season NFL game played in France.
- Organizers coordinated with authorities and adjusted fan events, allowing the game to proceed as scheduled.
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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