What to know about Paris unrest ahead of Steelers-Saints game
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The Saints last played the Steelers in 2022 in Pittsburgh, aka the Paris of Appalachia. Photo: Perry Knotts/Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints are still scheduled to play the first NFL game in France on Sunday, despite violent unrest in Paris that has prompted heightened security and the cancellation of a Steelers fan event.
Why it matters: Steelers and Saints fans traveling to Paris for the historic matchup face uncertainty as French authorities prepare for another round of demonstrations this weekend.
State of play: Some fans and sports media figures have called for the game to be moved after looting, rioting and protests hit several spots in Paris and other French cities last weekend.
- The NFL said it will heighten security for the game at Stade de France, but it did not consider canceling the game, according to NFL vice president of international events Peter O'Reilly.
Catch up quick: Demonstrations, rioting and looting erupted last Saturday. Authorities blamed violent fringe groups for infiltrating the demonstrations and setting cars ablaze and damaging property.
- Police said they arrested 855 people in Paris due to the unrest.
- A peaceful protest was held Thursday in southeastern Paris.
- French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that protests will be limited this weekend to authorized union gatherings.
- Police deployments will increase 20% compared with last weekend, French authorities said.
A national day of protest is scheduled for Saturday.
- Students, anti-government protesters and activists from the "yellow vest" movement are expected to demonstrate.
- Some have called to demonstrate in Grand Palais in central Paris.
Context: The teams will play at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, a suburb north of Paris, several miles from the central neighborhoods where much of last weekend's unrest occurred.
- But fans staying in central Paris could encounter demonstrations or transportation disruptions on their way to the game, particularly if traveling from Place de la République, Place de la Bastille or Place de la Nation.
- Authorities have established curfew zones around Place de la République and the Les Halles district, home to a large market.
Zoom in: The Steelers House fan event was canceled due to the ongoing unrest. It was to be held at a bar in the Bastille neighborhood, where protests have occurred.
Friction point: Several readers worry protests will target the game to draw more attention, according to replies to an X post.
Yes, but: Some fans and Pittsburgh media personalities have already hit the Parisian streets and reported a pleasant, welcoming city.
What they're saying: Alex Pažuchanics, a transportation planner from Pittsburgh who has lived in Paris since 2021, tells Axios he expects the demonstrations Saturday to be more muted than last week.
- He says to avoid a planned march route from République to the Opera neighborhood along Boulevard de Bonne Nouvelle.
- By and large, though, he says that "you can be a couple blocks away [from the protests] and not feel the impact, because of how dense the city is."
Pro-tip: Pažuchanics says southern sections of the city have not seen much disruption, and he recommends The Moose, The Great Canadian Pub and Rosie's Smokehouse BBQ — all located just south of Notre Dame Cathedral — to watch football before or after the Steelers game.
- Don't miss trying French tacos, which have a kinship to Primanti sandwiches and are loaded with fries, cheese sauce, meats and veggies.
The bottom line: Stay updated on news reports up to the game considering the uncertainty of the planned protests.