The NFL abruptly closed its “NFL House” in Paris on Saturday, citing “potential accessibility issues” as the city braced for widespread street protests. The league notified fans via its OnePass app on Saturday morning, a decision that came just one day after it also shut down its pop-up NFL shop for similar security reasons. This preemptive move underscores the heightened tension surrounding the league’s historic debut in France, where a heavy police presence and boarded-up storefronts have dominated the urban landscape.
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Security concerns have significantly overshadowed the anticipation for Sunday’s matchup, which marks the first-ever NFL regular-season game in France. The New Orleans Saints are set to face the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Stade de France, but the surrounding festivities have been disrupted. In a coordinated response to the unrest, the Saints announced that their own “Saints House” event has been postponed until Sunday, while planned Saturday activities at the main NFL House, including “French Athletes in Football” and “From the Field to the Community,” were canceled.
The closure mirrors broader restrictions across the French capital, where major cultural landmarks such as the Louvre and Orsay Museum have also shut their doors to the public. Although tourists remained eager to visit Notre Dame Cathedral, French authorities are prioritizing the prevention of a repeat of recent violent unrest. As the NFL prepares for its inaugural European regular-season fixture, the league’s decision to prioritize safety over fan engagement highlights the logistical and security challenges of expanding its global footprint into politically volatile regions.
Source: Yahoo Sports
