The NFL isn’t budging. Despite violent protests now stretching into a third week in Paris, the league says the Steelers and Saints will still kick off on October 25 at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, just north of the city.
The league put out a statement Wednesday, via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, saying preparations for the game and all of the surrounding fan events are continuing on schedule. The NFL also said it works closely with local authorities on operations and security for every game, international or not, and that it looks forward to welcoming fans to Paris later this month.
Translation: full steam ahead, at least for now.
What’s Happening in Paris
The unrest is rooted in France’s school system. Students are demanding the government fix under-resourced schools, crumbling buildings, overcrowded classrooms, and teacher and staff shortages. The movement started in the Paris region and has spread across the country, with teenagers blocking access to high schools and clashing with police.
It has gotten ugly. Authorities have used tear gas and stun grenades to break up crowds, and protesters have reportedly set fires and damaged property. CBS News reports that more than 5,000 people have been detained in connection with the protests.
Making matters worse, the French government is stuck in a political deadlock heading into presidential elections next spring and hasn’t offered protesters any real response to their demands.
Is There a Backup Plan?
Officially, no. But the most obvious fallback is New Orleans, since the Saints are the designated home team for this one. CBS Sports noted the only event listed at the Superdome on October 25 is a private youth and amateur event that morning, so the building could seemingly host the game if it came to that.
There’s precedent, too. Back in 2018, the NFL decided the field in Mexico City wasn’t fit for play and moved a Chiefs-Rams Monday night game to Los Angeles. The league has shown it will relocate a game when it has to. It just isn’t there yet.
A Second Straight Trip Overseas
This is supposed to be a historic one: the first NFL regular-season game ever played in France. It’s also the second straight year the Steelers head overseas after beating the Vikings 24-21 at Croke Park in Dublin last season, a game where Pittsburgh was the home team.
Steelers Nation has been planning this trip for months, and plenty of fans with flights and hotels already booked are understandably watching the news out of Paris closely.
What to Watch
The Steelers have business at home first with the Buccaneers this weekend before turning their attention to Paris. The game is nine days out, and the NFL’s stance is clear: Paris is the plan unless the situation gets worse. If it does, keep an eye on New Orleans.