Civil unrest has gripped Paris. Granted, that's not especially novel in a country known for its protests. Even so, the 2026 French student protests have swelled beyond marching into a maelstorm of frustration as teenagers, young adults, teachers and more have loudly expressed their displeasure with the state of public education across the country.
Paris has been the focal point of this movement, which has given way to a heavy-handed police response that escalated clashes and moved into violence and property damage. Despite the unrest that floods the streets -- and the highly visible target of an NFL game in the city, the league announced Sunday's Week 7 showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints would go on as planned.
One
of the events leading up to the first-ever NFL contest in France, however, will not.
A weekend event for Pittsburgh Steelers fans in Paris has been canceled because of security concerns following recent street protests in the French capital.https://t.co/tA3qmKUBx1
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 22, 2026
The Steelers and the league announced a weekend event at O'Sullivan's, a Bastille-area bar, would not be held thanks to the protests outside. Week 7's game, however? No concerns there!
"Following recent events in the Bastille neighborhood, and after careful consideration, we felt it appropriate not to move forward with the planned Steelers House fan event in Paris," the team wrote to fans.
"Preparations for Sunday's NFL Paris game at Stade de France continue as planned," it added, "with the NFL working closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters."
League spokesperson Nicki Ewell pointed out it was the Steelers' decision to call off the event and that every NFL-run event was still scheduled as planned. Thus, a smaller event that may have flown under the radar while a larger one, selling expensive tickets in the middle of a protest against inflation and educational funding, will go on as planned.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Paris isn't safe enough for Steelers bar event but totally cool for NFL game, says NFL
