It feels like an unfair question to truly answer given just how unlucky they were with the timing it encountered this week. The league pitched up for its historic French bow amid a period of civil unrest across France, with violence and looting having prompted heightened security measures heading into the weekend along with the cancellation of fan activations designed to ramp up the pre-game flavour. As much contributes to the strong belief that the NFL will return to Paris for another game next year, with the league not only eager to establish a permanent presence in these international markets but perhaps also utilise a calmer and more accurate window in which to fairly flaunt one of the most iconic cities on the planet.
Nevertheless, for all that might have been said about safety concerns, football proceeded as planned on Sunday as the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New Orleans Saints 16-10 at the Stade de France, which added NFL to a brimming resume already including the World Cup final, Euros final and Rhianna, Rolling Stones and Coldplay concerts, to name just a few. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player The gameday presentation itself was spectacular and everything Paris could have envisioned, controlled 'No pyro no party' exhibitions joining Pittsburgh's Terrible Towels and an injection of Mardis Gras-style entertainment in forging the NFL's desired 'mini-Super Bowl' feel in celebration of yet another first for football. It also came with a stunning rendition of the French national anthem, as well as a half-time show courtesy of Burna Boy.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba was on the field taking photographs pre-game, while France rugby union captain Antoine Dupont and nine-time world champion judoka Teddy Riner were both in attendance, the latter receiving one of the loudest roars of the afternoon. Cam Jordan and Alvin Kamara leading the WHO DAT Saints chants with a raucous Stade de France crowd on strings was enough to raise the hairs on your arm, while the discovery that 'blitz' translates to 'charge surprise' in French - courtesy of a good friend from another media outlet - was enough to let me once again appreciate the magic of taking football across the world. It had also been reinforced by the manner in which cries of 'WHO DAT' around tourist hot-spots would light up any given Saints fan's face, confusion and caution while following a map in an unknown land quickly turning into at-home comfort.
Both the Steelers and Saints fanbases travel well, and there was certainly a dominant American presence compared to locals inside the stadium. It would help create a typical US gameday atmosphere, which was perhaps needed given how the week had gone; what might not have helped was the stadium reportedly running out of food at concessions stands during the game. For what it is worth, Aaron Rodgers might be right to double down on the value in teams arriving on the Monday of a game-week for international matchups.
The Steelers quarterback lamented his side's Friday morning landing, underlining his desire to spend more time in the city. As far as introducing football and teams and the NFL's superstars to new markets around the world is concerned, he is right. Paris features among a record nine international games being played in the 2026 season, becoming one of the NFL's newest host territories alongside Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro while preceding upcoming contests in Madrid, Munich and Mexico City.
Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke this week of plans to play in Tokyo in either 2027 or 2028, and it feels increasingly likely the league will return to Dublin after the Steelers beat the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland last season. The French will get another chance to showcase the beautiful best of Paris. The build-up may have been dampened, the rain may have soggied the mood and the game itself may not have produced fireworks, but there was no hiding from another special moment for the NFL.
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