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katherine terell
multiple authors
New Orleans Saints Paris will play in the NFL’s first regular season game during the 2026 season, the league announced Monday.
This game will be played at Stade de France, the national stadium of France.
“Bringing a regular season game to Paris in 2026 is an exciting next step in the continued expansion of the league’s global footprint,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Paris is one of the world’s greatest sporting and cultural cities, having achieved tremendous success in hosting global events that unite fans on the biggest stages. Playing our first regular season game at the impressive Stade de France with the New Orleans Saints underscores our continued global growth ambitions and we look forward to bringing the NFL to our passionate fans in France.”
The game took several years to produce for Saints, who were awarded international marketing rights in France in 2023. Saints owner Gale Benson, linebacker demario davis And team officials visited Paris last summer to enhance the team’s brand. The Saints also have a partnership with the Paris Musketeers of the European League of Football.
“We are excited to be selected to play in the first regular season game to be held in France,” Benson said in a statement. “This moment is special not only because of the strong cultural connection between Louisiana and France, but also because we will be competing in front of the growing Saints fan base in Paris.”
The Saints’ opponent in the game will be announced when the NFL reveals its full schedule in the spring.
“Mrs. Benson has been working with the French government and the U.S. Ambassador to France for the past three years on the ability for the Saints to play regular season games in Paris,” Saints senior vice president Greg Bensel told ESPN. “Although today’s announcement confirms that we will play a regular season game at the Stade de France in Paris, we have been informed of neither the date nor the opponent at this time.”
As for its international slate this year, the NFL is also set to play a game in Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, Munich and Madrid and three games in London.
