NFL to Host Its First Ever Regular Season Game at Stade de France in October 2026

The National Football League (NFL) is set to make history in France by holding its inaugural regular season game at the Stade de France on October 25, 2026. This marks a significant milestone, as it will be the first time the NFL hosts a regular season American football game on French soil.

The New Orleans Saints will be one of the competing teams, while the identity of their opponent has yet to be officially confirmed, though the Cleveland Browns are often mentioned as the likely adversary. The stadium in Saint-Denis is expected to welcome approximately 80,000 spectators, signaling strong local interest in American football.

This event comes after several months of negotiations involving key parties including the NFL, the French government, the cities of Paris and Saint-Denis, the French American football federation, and GL Events, the Stade de France manager. Brett Gosper, who oversees the NFL's operations in Europe, highlighted France's robust fanbase of around 14 million NFL supporters, the third largest in Europe after England and Germany.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell described this occasion as an "exciting new step" in the league’s international expansion efforts. He praised Paris as a global sport and cultural capital capable of hosting such major international events. The decision to select France follows the NFL's prior international games in countries like England, Germany, Mexico, and Spain.

Ticket prices have not been confirmed yet, but prior experiences such as a recent NFL game in Dublin indicated that prices might start around 80 euros. The exact kickoff time is pending but is expected to be in the afternoon to accommodate viewers in the United States.

This historic match not only highlights the growing popularity of American football in France but also reinforces the NFL's commitment to broadening its global footprint. Fans across France are eagerly anticipating this event as it promises an unprecedented live experience of the sport at one of the country's premier venues.