NFL to make France debut and play more games in Spain

The NFL will make its debut in France with a regular-season game later this year – and has agreed a deal to play more games in Spain.

Paris’ Stade de France will welcome the NFL for a game next season, with the New Orleans Saints confirmed as one of the participating teams. The date has yet to be confirmed.

On the opening day of Super Bowl week, the NFL also announced a multi-year partnership to stage games at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium.

The Miami Dolphins beat the Washington Commanders in the first NFL game to be played in Spain in November.

France will become the fifth European nation to stage regular-season games, after the UK, Germany, Ireland and Spain.

“Bringing a regular-season game to Paris in 2026 marks an exciting next step in the continued expansion of the league’s global footprint,” said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

The Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins have marketing rights in Spain as part of the NFL’s global markets programme, with the Saints being the only team with rights in France.

“This moment is special not only because of the strong cultural connection between Louisiana and France, but also because we will compete before a growing Saints fan base in Paris,” said Saints owner Gayle Benson.