Europe remains a key target for the NFL’s ongoing international expansion. One of the cities yet to host a regular season game is Paris, but that could change soon. 
France has been on the league’s radar since at least 2022. A number of new European markets have been explored in recent years, including debut regular games in Ireland and Spain taking place in 2025. Dublin and Madrid could very well continue to serve as host cities moving forward, and Paris could join them as early as next year.
“You might hear in the next couple weeks that we might be having a game internationally, and that game may be in Paris,” Saints president Dennis Lauscha said (via NOLA.com’s Jeff Duncan). “We have the rights to the country of France and Monaco, so that makes so much sense, we think. We’re really excited about that [possibility].”
The Saints are currently the only NFL team with international marketing rights in France. As such, it would come as no surprise if they were to be the designated home team for the league’s first ever Paris contest. Lauscha added a game there could take place as early as next season. That timing would align with the NFL’s process in terms of evaluating venues and logistical matters relative to other new host cities.
The league hopes to stage eight international games in 2026. Broadly speaking, one of the league’s goals for continued growth outside the United States is to eventually have each team play one game overseas per year. That setup could very well include Paris on a regular basis. France’s largest venue is the Stade de France, and it would presumably play host to any games held in the country.
Divisional matchups have taken place in international games, but they are rare. As such, New Orleans’ opponent for any 2026 game to be held in Paris would likely come from the team’s remaining slate of home game. That leaves the Browns, Steelers, Packers and Vikings among the potential candidates to play in the league’s first France contest.
Paris i am so so sorry for y’all. america will keep y’all in our prayers.
I think the culture that invented the concept of ennui is well prepared for Saints fandom.
I think some of these European countries need to check the Geneva Convention to see if forcing them to watch teams like the Saints and the Jaguars counts as a war crime.
There’s a good amount of fondness in France for the city of New Orleans, so it makes sense. Plus Saints players will see a lot of familiar looking architecture.
How about Matt LeFleur vs Fleur de lis?
Anyone know where to find a list of which teams own rights to which countries? This seems like an interesting piece of information that I haven’t heard much about despite there being a clear structure in place.
Nevermind, that was easier than I thought. In case anyone else is interested too. link to nfl.com
Who cares about any of that. Someday soon I’m going to have to find out who I POed in a previous life where I have to watch the Cowboys on Monday night and the Texans on Thu night. It had to be something really horrible.