2026 NFL Paris Game Travel Packages: Tickets, Hotels & Flights

The 2026 NFL Paris Game is the first regular-season NFL game ever played in France. The New Orleans Saints have been confirmed as the designated home team. The game will be played at the Stade de France, the country's national stadium and the centerpiece of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The matchup is one of the marquee dates on the NFL's record nine-game international slate for 2026, and for fans planning a trip to Paris this fall, this is a one-time event. The first NFL game in France will only happen once, and the demand for tickets, hotels, and flights is going to reflect that.

The 2026 NFL Paris Game is one of the trips Elite Sports Tours gets the most early interest in on the international calendar. The reason is straightforward. The NFL only confirmed the home team in February 2026. The opponent, the exact date, and the kickoff time will not be confirmed until the full 2026 NFL schedule is released between Tuesday May 12 and Thursday May 14. Tickets are not yet on general sale, with limited initial allocations going through Saints season ticket holders via a lottery and a small block reserved for the official hospitality channel. Flights to Paris for the early-fall window are already moving in price. Hotels in central Paris for any potential game weekend are doing the same. Fans who lock in 2026 NFL Paris Game travel packages early through Elite Sports Tours, where tickets, hotels, and flights are bundled into one booking, secure the trip before the public sale opens and before the rest of the market is competing for the same inventory.

The 2026 NFL Paris Game: What's Confirmed and What's Coming

Here's what's known as of late April 2026. The NFL announced the Paris Game on February 2, 2026 at the Super Bowl LX state-of-the-league press conference. The New Orleans Saints have been confirmed as the designated home team. The game will be played at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, just north of central Paris. The Saints hold international marketing rights in France through the NFL's Global Markets Program, granted in 2023, and are the first and only NFL team with marketing rights in the French market. The opponent for the game has not been officially confirmed by the NFL or the Saints. Saints senior vice president Greg Bensel told ESPN at the time of the announcement that the team had not been informed of a date or opponent.

The opponent, the exact date, and the kickoff time will be announced when the full 2026 NFL schedule is released. The schedule release is scheduled for the week of May 12 to May 14, 2026. International games on the NFL calendar have historically been scheduled in early-to-mid fall, but the exact 2026 calendar will not be confirmed until the league publishes the full schedule. NFL ticket sales for the Paris Game will follow a phased rollout. Saints season ticket holders who renewed by February 20, 2026 with either full payment or first installment received priority lottery access for tickets. The official NFL hospitality provider has launched a refundable Priority Access deposit program. General public sales will follow the schedule release, with timing to be announced by the NFL.

That gap between the home team announcement in February and the public ticket sale window is exactly where Elite Sports Tours comes in. The platform secures ticket inventory for the 2026 NFL Paris Game through official allocation channels, and bundles that ticket inventory with hotels in central Paris and flights from major North American departure cities into a single booking. Fans who book a Paris Game travel package in April or May get the ticket inventory locked in before the general public sale opens, plus the best combined pricing on hotels and flights before everything tightens up over the summer. 2026 NFL Paris Game travel packages are one of the few ways to fully commit to the trip before the league has even confirmed the matchup.

Stade de France NFL Game: What to Know

The Stade de France is France's national stadium and one of the most decorated venues in world sport. Built in 1998 for the FIFA World Cup, the stadium is the only venue in the world to have hosted a FIFA World Cup, a Rugby World Cup, UEFA Champions League Finals, and UEFA European Championship Finals. It served as a centerpiece of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, hosting the opening and closing ceremonies as well as athletics and rugby sevens events. It is the home stadium for the French national football and rugby teams, and is regularly used for major concerts (U2, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Paul McCartney, AC/DC, and the Rolling Stones have all played the venue).

For the 2026 NFL Paris Game, the Stade de France will be configured for American football for the first time. The venue is located in Saint-Denis, in the Plaine Commune district of the northern Paris metropolitan area, accessible from central Paris by RER B (Stade de France-Saint-Denis station) and RER D (Saint-Denis station). Both RER lines connect the venue to the major central Paris stations including Gare du Nord, Châtelet, and Châtelet-Les Halles. Most fans staying in central Paris reach the stadium in 25 to 40 minutes door to door on the RER. The capacity for the Stade de France varies by event configuration, with the venue typically seating around 80,000 for major sports events. The exact NFL configuration capacity for the 2026 game will be confirmed closer to the event.

New Orleans Saints Paris Game: A First for the Franchise

The New Orleans Saints Paris game is the franchise's fourth regular-season international game and the first outside of London. The Saints previously played in London in 2008 (defeated the San Diego Chargers), 2017 (defeated the Miami Dolphins), and 2022 (lost to the Minnesota Vikings). The 2026 Paris Game continues the Saints' international footprint, with the franchise holding NFL marketing rights in France since 2023 and an established Global Markets Program presence in the country.

For the Saints, the Paris assignment is built on years of relationship work between the team and French sporting and government officials. Saints owner Gayle Benson, Saints president Dennis Lauscha, and senior leadership had been in active discussions with the French government and the US Ambassador to France for several years before the announcement. The cultural connection between Louisiana and France was cited by both Benson and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as central to the rationale for the Saints being chosen. The team also maintains an active partnership with the Paris Musketeers of the European League of Football, with Saints players and ownership having visited the city multiple times over the past two years.

NFL France Game 2026: A First in League History

The 2026 NFL France game is the first regular-season game the NFL has ever played in the country. France joins a 2026 international slate that includes London (three games), Madrid, Munich, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, and Melbourne, for a record nine total international games on the calendar. The Paris Game is one of three brand-new international firsts on the 2026 schedule, alongside the inaugural NFL games in Australia (Melbourne) and the first NFL game in Rio de Janeiro at Maracanã Stadium.

The NFL has been actively building its presence in France for several years. The league reports more than 14 million fans in the French market, and NFL Flag, the league's youth flag football program, launched in France in 2023 in partnership with the Fédération Française de Football Américain (FFFA) and now reaches more than 8,000 players. Flag football will make its Olympic debut at the LA28 Summer Games in Los Angeles, which has further connected the NFL's growth strategy to France through the Olympic and Paralympic legacy. The 2026 Paris Game is the most concrete step yet in turning that long-term presence into a regular-season fixture, and the NFL has signaled this is unlikely to be a one-off. Commissioner Goodell stated at the announcement that the league's eventual goal is to play 16 international games per season, with each of the 32 NFL teams playing one international game per year.

Paris NFL Tickets: When and How to Buy

Paris NFL tickets for the 2026 game will go through a phased sale process. The first allocation went to New Orleans Saints season ticket holders via a lottery for fans who renewed their season tickets by February 20, 2026 with either full payment or their first installment. The second allocation is being sold through On Location, the NFL's Official Hospitality Provider, which has launched a refundable Priority Access deposit program for premium ticket and travel packages. The general public ticket sale through the standard NFL channels will follow the 2026 schedule release in mid-May, with timing and platform details to be announced by the NFL.

For most out-of-town fans flying into Paris for the game, the public ticket sale window is not the realistic planning approach. By the time tickets reach the general sale, hotels in central Paris for the relevant weekend are already tightening, and transatlantic flight pricing into Paris CDG and Paris Orly from North America is moving up. The reason fans book 2026 NFL Paris Game travel packages through Elite Sports Tours is that the platform secures ticket inventory through allocation channels in advance, then bundles the tickets with hotels in central Paris and flights into Paris in a single transaction. The full trip is committed before the public sale opens.

NFL Paris Hotels: Where to Stay for the Game

NFL Paris hotels for the 2026 game depend on which neighborhood you want to base out of for the rest of the trip. Paris has one of the strongest public transit systems in Europe, which means most fans don't need to stay near the Stade de France itself. Hotels in central Paris in neighborhoods like the Marais, the 1st arrondissement near the Louvre, the 6th and 7th arrondissements on the Left Bank, the 8th arrondissement near the Champs-Élysées, and the 9th arrondissement near Opéra all work well for game day. From any of these areas, fans can take the RER B or RER D out to Saint-Denis in 25 to 40 minutes door to door.

For fans prioritizing transit access to the stadium, hotels near Gare du Nord and the 10th arrondissement give direct RER B access to Stade de France-Saint-Denis station with minimal connections. Hotels in the immediate Saint-Denis area near the stadium itself are limited and largely not where most international visitors prefer to stay, so the central Paris base is the standard recommendation. The Elite Sports Tours bundled approach for NFL Paris hotels is built around this. The platform pairs the right central Paris hotel for the trip with match tickets and the transatlantic flight in a single booking. Fans don't need to research RER lines and hotel locations separately. The bundle handles all of that and removes the coordination work that catches first-time international NFL travellers off guard.

Why Paris NFL Travel Packages Sell Out Early

Paris NFL travel packages are expected to be one of the fastest-moving products on the international calendar for 2026. The reason is the combination of high demand and limited supply for a once-in-NFL-history event. Paris is the first NFL game ever played in France. Demand is being driven not just by Saints fans and traveling NFL fans from North America, but also by the existing 14+ million NFL fans in France, plus broader European NFL fans for whom Paris is more accessible than the London games. Hotels in central Paris for any weekend in the early-fall window are operating on a fixed inventory base that's structurally smaller than a market like Las Vegas or London.

The timing gap between the announcement and the public ticket sale also plays a role. The home team was confirmed in February. The opponent and date won't be confirmed until the schedule release in mid-May. Public ticket sales follow that. Fans who try to book everything separately in late spring or summer, after they've secured tickets through the public sale, almost always end up with worse hotel locations and higher flight pricing than fans who committed earlier through a bundled package. The Elite Sports Tours model exists for this exact problem. The platform secures ticket inventory in advance, bundles it with the right central Paris hotel and the transatlantic flight, and finalizes the trip details once the schedule release confirms the matchup and date. The trip is committed before the rest of the market is, which is the only way to consistently get the best of all three pieces.

Plan Your 2026 NFL Paris Trip with Elite Sports Tours

Once fans decide to attend the 2026 NFL Paris game, the next step is making sure the rest of the trip is built around that decision. The difference between a smooth international weekend and a stressful one usually comes down to where the hotel is located, how transportation to the stadium is handled, and whether tickets, flights, and accommodations were planned together or booked separately over time.

For fans traveling from North America and across Europe, this is where booking through Elite Sports Tours becomes the most efficient approach rather than a premium add-on. When tickets, a centrally located hotel in Paris, and flight options are structured together from the start, the trip is aligned around the event before pricing moves and availability tightens. Instead of trying to piece together logistics after securing tickets, everything is coordinated in advance with the right balance between stadium access and a full weekend experiencing the city.

Fans looking to plan the trip this way can explore NFL International Game Travel Packages, where tickets, hotel, and flight options are bundled into a single booking built specifically around 2026 NFL dates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 NFL Paris Game?

The exact date for the 2026 NFL Paris Game has not been officially confirmed by the NFL or the New Orleans Saints. Saints senior vice president Greg Bensel told ESPN at the February 2, 2026 announcement that the team had not been informed of a date or opponent. The exact date will be confirmed when the full 2026 NFL schedule is released between Tuesday May 12 and Thursday May 14, 2026. NFL international games are typically scheduled in early-to-mid fall, but the specific 2026 Paris date will be confirmed at the schedule release.

Who are the Saints playing in Paris in 2026?

The Saints' opponent for the 2026 NFL Paris Game has not been officially confirmed. The NFL announced the Saints as the designated home team on February 2, 2026, but the league has not yet confirmed the opposing team. Saints leadership stated at the time of the announcement that they had not been informed of an opponent. The matchup will be confirmed when the full 2026 NFL schedule is released in mid-May 2026.

Where is the 2026 NFL Paris Game being played?

The 2026 NFL Paris Game is being played at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, just north of central Paris. The Stade de France is France's national stadium, built in 1998 for the FIFA World Cup, and is the only venue in the world to have hosted a FIFA World Cup, Rugby World Cup, UEFA Champions League Finals, and UEFA European Championship Finals. It also served as a centerpiece of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. The stadium is accessible from central Paris in 25 to 40 minutes via RER B or RER D.

How do I get tickets for the 2026 NFL Paris Game?

Tickets for the 2026 NFL Paris Game are being sold through a phased process. New Orleans Saints season ticket holders who renewed by February 20, 2026 received priority lottery access. On Location, the NFL's Official Hospitality Provider, has launched a refundable Priority Access deposit program for premium packages. General public sales will follow the 2026 NFL schedule release in mid-May 2026. For fans who want to lock in the trip before public sales open, Elite Sports Tours secures ticket inventory through allocation channels and bundles tickets with hotels and flights into a single travel package.

How much do 2026 NFL Paris Game tickets cost?

Ticket pricing for the 2026 NFL Paris Game has not yet been publicly announced and will be confirmed after the May 2026 schedule release. Pricing typically varies by seat tier, with lower-bowl sideline and premium club seats at the top of the market and upper-bowl end-zone seats at the more accessible end. The Stade de France configuration for NFL play will inform the final pricing tiers. The fastest way to get a confirmed price for the 2026 NFL Paris Game is to request a 2026 NFL Paris Game travel package quote through Elite Sports Tours, which combines the ticket cost with hotels and flights into one bundled total.

What is the best Paris hotel area for the NFL game?

The best Paris hotels for the 2026 NFL game are in central Paris arrondissements with strong RER access to Saint-Denis. The Marais, the 1st arrondissement near the Louvre, the 6th and 7th arrondissements on the Left Bank, the 8th arrondissement near the Champs-Élysées, and the 9th and 10th arrondissements near Gare du Nord all work well. Gare du Nord and the 10th arrondissement give the most direct RER B access to Stade de France-Saint-Denis station. Elite Sports Tours bundled NFL Paris travel packages include the right central Paris hotel for the trip.

How do I get from central Paris to the Stade de France?

The Stade de France is in Saint-Denis, just north of central Paris, accessible by RER B to Stade de France-Saint-Denis station, by RER D to Saint-Denis station (then a short walk to the stadium), or by Métro Line 13 to Saint-Denis Porte de Paris (also a short walk). Most fans staying in central Paris reach the stadium in 25 to 40 minutes door to door. The RER B is the most direct option from Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, and Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame. On game day, plan to leave your hotel about two and a half hours before kickoff to allow for security entry and pre-game atmosphere.

Why book a 2026 NFL Paris Game travel package instead of booking separately?

The three problems facing fans booking the trip separately are timing, ticket access, and coordination. Tickets won't reach the general public sale until after the schedule release in mid-May, but hotels in central Paris and flights into Paris CDG and Paris Orly start tightening as soon as the home team announcement was made in February. By the time public ticket sales open, the best hotel inventory and flight pricing are already gone. A 2026 NFL Paris Game travel package through Elite Sports Tours secures ticket inventory in advance through allocation channels, bundles the tickets with the right central Paris hotel and the transatlantic flight, and locks in the entire trip in one booking with one point of contact for any changes.

Do I need a visa to attend an NFL game in Paris?

Most North American passports do not require a visa for short tourist visits to France. As of April 2026, US and Canadian passport holders need a valid passport with at least three months of validity beyond their planned departure date from the Schengen Area. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is being phased in for visa-exempt travelers entering the Schengen Area, with implementation timing subject to change. Confirm current ETIAS and entry requirements directly with the French government and the European Union before travelling, as policies can change.

Have the Saints played in Europe before?

Yes. The 2026 NFL Paris Game will be the New Orleans Saints' fourth regular-season international game. The team previously played in London in 2008 (a win over the San Diego Chargers), 2017 (a win over the Miami Dolphins), and 2022 (a loss to the Minnesota Vikings). The 2026 Paris Game is the team's first international game outside of London and the first regular-season NFL game ever played in France.

Editorial Note & Travel Expertise

Elite Sports Tours has been planning trips to NFL international games for fans since the league started playing them at Wembley in 2007, and the 2026 NFL Paris Game stands as one of the more historically significant international assignments on the calendar. The first regular-season NFL game ever played in France. The first NFL game at the Stade de France. The Saints making their fourth international appearance and their first outside of London. For fans who've been waiting for the right moment to plan a trip pairing an NFL game with a true destination weekend in Paris, this is the year. Every recommendation here reflects how Elite Sports Tours actually plans and books international NFL trips, including the bundled approach for tickets, hotels, and flights in one transaction. The NFL Paris Game travel specialists at Elite Sports Tours are available to put together the right combination of tickets, hotel, and flights for the 2026 Paris Game, whether the trip is a long weekend in Paris or a multi-stop European itinerary.

Travel Information Disclaimer

The information in this guide reflects the 2026 NFL Paris Game as announced by the NFL on February 2, 2026, the confirmed designated home team (New Orleans Saints), the confirmed venue (Stade de France in Saint-Denis), and the confirmed schedule release window of May 12 to 14, 2026. The opponent, exact game date, kickoff time, ticket pricing, hotel rates, and flight availability are subject to confirmation and change as the 2026 season approaches. Fans should confirm current details with Elite Sports Tours before finalizing any trip. ETIAS, visa, and entry requirements for France and the broader Schengen Area are subject to change and should be verified directly with the French government and the European Union before travelling. Bundled NFL Paris Game travel availability through Elite Sports Tours reflects the most current information at the time of booking.

Updated April 2026