The NFL’s ambitions to become a global sport and brand reaches another corner of the world as it announced it will play its first-ever regular season game in France.
The NFL will play its first-ever regular-season game in France next season, with the New Orleans Saints set to compete at the Stade de France stadium in Paris.
Confirmed yesterday (February 2), the NFL is working alongside France’s GL events Group, sports ministers, and local authorities to stage the regular season game. The NFL has yet to announce a date for the Paris game.
“Bringing a regular season game to Paris in 2026 marks an exciting next step in the continued expansion of the league’s global footprint,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
“Paris is one of the world’s greatest sporting and cultural cities with tremendous success in hosting global events that unite fans on the biggest stages. Playing our first‑ever regular season game at the impressive Stade de France, together with the New Orleans Saints, underlines our continued global growth ambitions and we look forward to bringing the NFL to our passionate fans in France.”
The Saints will compete in the Paris game as it obtained international marketing rights from the league’s Global Markets Program. The program is designed to enable all 32 teams to grow their fanbases in select markets and increase the popularity and participation of the sport.
Saints owner Gayle Benson highlighted the “cultural connection” between Louisiana and France as the US state is home to many Cajun French speakers.
The Stade de France is the national stadium of France and has hosted several major sporting events, such as the 1998 FIFA World Cup Final, UEFA Champions League finals, Rugby World Cup finals and more recently, the 2024 Olympic Games.
The NFL revealed it has more than 14 million fans in France and will deploy a Flag football – the non-contact form of the sport – programme to enhance participation amongst young boys and girls in the lead-up to the Paris game.
Mexico receives three games
The NFL also signed a new agreement with Estadio Banorte Félix Aguirre in Mexico City yesterday to host three regular-season games at the stadium over the next three seasons.
The NFL will host its first regular season as part of the deal during the 2026/27 season, followed by games in 2027/28 and 2028/29 seasons.
The 2026 Mexico game marks the first since the 2022/23 season. The NFL has been hosting regular season games in Mexico since November 2016, becoming an early key market for international growth for the league.
“We are delighted to bring regular‑season NFL games back to Mexico City beginning in 2026, reaffirming our deep and long‑standing connection with fans across the country,” said NFL Mexico Director General, Arturo Olivé.
“We are also pleased to extend and expand our broadcast partnership with TelevisaUnivision, ensuring fans nationwide can enjoy greater access to NFL programming on Canal 5 and Canal 9.”
A record-setting international season ahead
With the NFL hosting regular season games in Paris and Mexico City next season, the 2026/27 is set to have a record-breaking nine international games.
This breaks the record previously set last season of six international games, indicating the league’s increased focus on broadening its brand to existing and new markets for the overall growth of the sport.
Next season, the NFL will host three games in London, one game in Australia, one game in Brazil, one game in Germany, one game in Spain, one game in France and one game in Mexico.
No official dates have been announced for the nine international regular season games.
During the 2025/26 season that has just transpired, the NFL hosted its first regular season games in Spain and the Republic of Ireland.
Speaking to Insider Sport following Super Bowl LIX, NFL UK and Ireland General Manager, Henry Hodgson, revealed the league wants to become a “truly global sport”, aiming to reach similar international growth status to the NBA.
