NFL closes NFL House in Paris due to potential accessibility issues

NFL House Closed in Paris

The NFL closed its “NFL House” in Paris on Saturday as the city braced for street protests with heavy police presence and boarded-up storefronts. The league announced the closure through its OnePass app just a day after confirming that its pop-up shop in the city center would also shut down for the day, citing potential accessibility issues in both instances.

French Authorities Secure Landmarks Before First NFL Game

Major cultural landmarks, including the Louvre and the Orsay Museum, also closed their doors on Saturday as French authorities worked to prevent any repetition of recent violent unrest. The U.S. State Department issued a security alert warning Americans in Paris for the game to exercise caution. Ahead of Sunday’s matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Stade de France—marking the league’s first-ever regular-season game in France—NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with French President Emmanuel Macron, Saints owner Gayle Benson, and Steelers owners Art Rooney II at the Élysée Palace to discuss the game and the long-term future of the NFL in Paris. Goodell noted that street protests are not unusual in France.

Fan Events Proceed Under Strict Security Watch

While some scheduled fan gatherings faced postponements or cancellations, including the Saints House delay until Sunday and a canceled Steelers fan event, other activities proceeded with modifications. Fans gathered for the “Hail Mary over the Seine” activation near Notre Dame Cathedral, where participants attempted to throw footballs across the waterway. Local visitors and international travelers alike walked through the heightened security presence, with national police vans patrolling nearby streets as events continued under strict watch.