NFL forced to close ‘NFL House’ pop-up due to Paris protests

The NFL closed its fan zone in Paris Saturday due to intense street protests, but the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers are still set to play the league’s first game in France Sunday, despite President Trump suggesting it push the face-off back.

Fans received a notification through the NFL’s “OnePass” app that the “NFL House” would be closed, citing “accessibility issues,” according to The Associated Press. The Saints similarly announced in a Saturday morning post to social platform X its fan event in Paris had been rescheduled to the following day.

Trump told reporters outside the White House Friday the NFL “probably could have postponed,” saying it looked like Saturday “is going to be a bad day in France.”

“I would’ve said the NFL could’ve probably postponed that match,” the president said. “France is really in trouble. That’s what happens when you go left.”

The president’s statement seemingly contradicted Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Wednesday comments that U.S. officials felt it would be “fine” to hold the game. The State Department has issued a security alert for Americans traveling in the country.

“Violence and rioting have recently occurred in France and may continue. Avoid demonstrations and areas of unrest. Stay away from areas with large crowds or significant police activity,” the department’s alert reads.

Paris, alongside other cities in France, have been rocked by demonstrations from young people, angry with the government over the state of the education system and the cost of living.

The Steelers and Saints still plan to kick off Sunday at 9:30 a.m. EDT in Stade de France. The game, one of nine NFL matches being played abroad this season, is part of an effort by the league to spread football internationally.