NFL Facing Mounting Pressure To Cancel Upcoming Game

October 9, 2026, 11:03am EST 329 • By Lou Flavius

Fans question whether the league should keep its overseas date.

The NFL has an unexpected problem brewing in France ahead of one of its historic games.

Click for sound 0:00 / 0:00 French students have been protesting for weeks.

They began blocking high school entrances in late September, citing run-down facilities and teacher shortages. Hundreds of thousands marched nationwide on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Now some fans want the league to rethink its first regular-season game in Paris. The Saints host the Steelers at Stade de France on Sunday, Oct. 25, in Week 7. Kickoff is set for 9:30 a.m. ET, and the NFL has billed it as its first regular-season game in the French capital.

“The @NFL has a game in Paris in 2 1/2 weeks. They should proactively more the Steelers and Saints game to New Orleans for the safety of all the fans and team organizations,” one writes.

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“The @NFL needs to cancel the game between the @steelers and the @Saints in Paris. Paris is in the midst of a Muslim terrorist uprising. Its not safe there,” says a second.

“@NFLPA better step up for their players, no game in Paris, @steelers and @Saints need to tell pig headed @nflcommish NO! This falls under “players safety” wake up @NFL @nflnetwork @NFLonFOX @ESPNNFL @NFLonCBS,” another post reads.

The Spun reports that the league is unlikely to budge, since it wants to grow the sport overseas. The NFL has not responded to the calls.

Clashes between police and demonstrators have fueled said unease. Rights groups, students and parents’ groups accuse authorities of using disproportionate force against minors, Al Jazeera reports. The government counters that outsiders hijacked the movement and turned it violent.

Pressure on officials has grown as well. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told RTL on Wednesday that he had suspended the use of stun grenades by police. Police have also opened 18 internal investigations into alleged misconduct. One policeman faces charges after a tear gas grenade hit a 14-year-old in the face.

None of that has changed the league’s plans so far. The NFL has pushed its international growth hard, and Albert Breer recently discussed where the league could play next.