NFL keeps Steelers–Saints in Paris on schedule amid protests in France

The NFL says the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints remain scheduled to play in Paris on October 25, with preparations continuing despite civil unrest and protests in France.

The league issued an updated statement Sunday saying it was working with local authorities and partners on security and operations. It said the clubs were receiving regular updates and that league sites had experienced no disruption, according to ESPN and Front Office Sports.

New Orleans backed that assessment. Saints spokesman Greg Bensel said football operations personnel and the team's internal security staff had already spent several days in France, where they were receiving daily updates from local security partners.

ESPN's Adam Schefter shared Bensel's statement Sunday:

The Saints plan to travel to Paris after Sunday's game against the Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey, ESPN reported. Pittsburgh has a different timetable: the Steelers plan to practice at home before leaving for France on Thursday.

The October 25 game is set for Stade de France at 9:30 a.m. Eastern. It will be the NFL's first regular-season game in France, and the league's official Paris information page continues to list the Saints and Steelers as the participants.

Sunday's statements came after demonstrations and clashes with police across France on Saturday. The league had previously said the game would proceed, but the latest update arrived as New Orleans approached its planned departure.

For both teams, the immediate plan remains a week of preparation for the scheduled game. The Saints say their staff already in France has encountered no disruption at team sites, while the NFL continues to coordinate operations with French authorities.