Goodell says confidence in Paris NFL game preparations is ‘very high’
The NFL commissioner cited talks with authorities before the Steelers and Saints play at Stade de France amid expected demonstrations.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said October 21 that his confidence in preparations for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game against the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France near Paris on Sunday, October 25, was ‘very high’, according to AFP. His assessment comes after unrest across France and ahead of expected demonstrations during the weekend of the league’s first regular-season game in the country.
Speaking after an NFL owners meeting in New York, Goodell said the league had made preparations and contacted the appropriate authorities, AFP reported. Asked about plans to protect the teams and stadium area, he said protests were not unusual in France and that the NFL would monitor developments and make appropriate arrangements. He did not detail the measures planned for the Paris game.
Goodell’s talks with officials before the Paris game
Goodell said he had spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio a couple of days earlier and had been in contact with officials in France and the United States about safeguarding personnel and the event. ‘We’re continuing to make sure we have all available information, make sure the appropriate steps are being made,’ he said, according to AFP. Goodell said he expects to attend the game and described the NFL as a guest in France.
CBS Sports reported that the NFL plans heightened security following the demonstrations. Amy Trask, a former member of the NFL’s security committee, told CBS Sports that security at league events extends beyond stadium gates into surrounding areas. She described the league’s general approach, rather than the specific deployment planned for Stade de France.
Steelers-Saints fixture remains at Stade de France
The NFL’s Paris event page lists the Steelers-Saints fixture for October 25 at Stade de France. CBS Sports quoted Peter O’Reilly, the league executive responsible for international events, as saying Tuesday that the game had never been in danger of moving from the venue. Goodell’s later remarks addressed his confidence in preparations as the scheduled game approaches.
The league’s position on the venue was covered in NewsJaws’ report on the Paris game remaining scheduled amid protests. Goodell’s comments add his account of coordination with officials after that earlier update.
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Sources and context
- NFL boss Goodell: Comfort level 'very high' for Paris gameAFP, carried by Yahoo Sports
- 2026 Paris Game: American Football in FranceNFL
- Former NFL security committee member details how league operates amid civil unrest in Paris before Week 7 gameCBS Sports
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.