The key facts

  • First regular-season NFL game in France: Steelers vs Saints in Paris on Sunday
  • A record 9 NFL games outside the US this year; new host cities are Paris, Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro
  • Goodell floated the possibility of an NFL franchise in Paris and holding the Super Bowl outside the US

NFL's debut in France

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said that American football has a long-term future in France, on the eve of the country's first-ever regular-season league game. On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints will play in Paris. According to AFP, authorities are preparing for possible new demonstrations following the riots and street clashes that swept across France last weekend.

Record international schedule

This season the NFL will play a record nine games outside the United States. Paris has joined Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro as a new host city. Goodell stressed that the league does not announce further steps in advance, but Paris occupies a central place in its long-term plans: 'We didn't come here for a one-off. This is part of our long-term efforts. We will be here and become part of the culture. This is just the beginning.'

Growing popularity of American sports

The NFL seeks to build on the growing popularity of American sports in France, where the NBA has held several regular-season games in recent years. Last year, Victor Wembanyama's San Antonio Spurs played two games in Paris against the Indiana Pacers, and in January 2027 the team is due to return. Goodell noted a strong and growing fan base in France and called Paris's 'iconic' status an important factor: 'If you want to be global, you want to play in cities like this.'

Plans for 16 games and a possible Super Bowl

Goodell said that in the long term the league wants to hold up to 16 international games per season — one for each of the 32 teams annually. 'Right now we have nine, and we are looking at expanding even beyond that,' he said. He also suggested that an NFL franchise could one day appear in Paris, and with it the Super Bowl outside the United States: 'Yes, I think it's possible. And if that's possible, then the Super Bowl is possible too.'