NFL monitors France unrest before Saints-Steelers game near Paris

The National Football League is watching the unrest in France and has not yet decided to relocate its inaugural game in the country, which is set for next Sunday in Saint-Denis. However, an anonymous league source told OutKick that a venue change could happen if conditions require it.

Violence spread across France on Saturday after demonstrations involving 500,000 to 800,000 participants turned into clashes with police. Masked groups looted shops and burned buildings, including the historic city hall in Limoges. By Sunday, reports indicated that arrests had risen from 1,000 to 1,800, with 855 occurring in the Paris area.

President Donald Trump commented on the situation on Truth Social on Sunday morning, stating that "France is burning" and that "people with hatred in their hearts" have "shattered that once great country." This turmoil puts the scheduled regular season matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers at the Stade de France under scrutiny. Last week, the league confirmed the event was proceeding as planned, saying it looked forward to welcoming fans to Paris later in the month.

The NFL's chief spokesperson did not reply to requests for comment from OutKick and Fox News Digital following the outbreak of violence. The anonymous source told OutKick on Sunday that the league is coordinating with local authorities and partners on security and operational matters, adding that a new venue might be considered if events warrant it.

Saints owner Gayle Benson previously highlighted the cultural and economic ties between Louisiana and France when announcing the game. According to Saints executive vice president and general manager Mickey Loomis, the team will travel to Paris directly from New York after playing the New York Giants on Sunday. This route shortens the trip, and the team intends to stay in France for a full week to adjust to the time difference.

Relocating the game to New Orleans would present scheduling challenges. The Caesers Superdome is already booked for an event on Oct. 25, while Acrisure Stadium, home of the Steelers, has no event scheduled for that date.