PARIS, FRANCE — Fourteen million fans are waiting, and the New Orleans Saints just answered the call. On Friday, March 27, owner Gayle Benson, quarterback Tyler Shough, and offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga planted their flag in the French capital to officially launch the campaign for the 2026 New Orleans Saints Paris game. Forget the standard offseason media tour. The Saints hit the ground running to turn Who Dat Nation into a global empire before they take the field at the Stade de France this October.
Taking Over The City of Light
Watching Fuaga, a 324-pound lineman, navigate the historic cobblestone streets of Paris alongside his quarterback is a rare sight. The Saints did not just send a PR team across the Atlantic; they brought the muscle. The duo toured the Louvre Museum, met with France Ambassador Laurent Bili, and grabbed drinks with locals at the Moose Bar. The fans packed the streets. The energy crackled. You could almost feel the tension in the air as European fans got their first taste of genuine NFL power. This wasn’t a corporate meet-and-greet. It felt like a home game pep rally 4,600 miles away from the Superdome.
“We are very proud to be the only team in the NFL to have marketing rights in France and I promise you the New Orleans Saints will do anything we possibly can to be France’s NFL team.”
— Gayle Benson, Owner
Building Chemistry Across the Ocean
The NFL is aggressively pushing its international footprint in 2026 with nine global matchups. But New Orleans holds a distinct advantage. Through the league’s Global Markets Program, they own exclusive marketing rights in France. They are not strangers here. They are the home team.
Shough and Fuaga spent hours answering questions from the French media, signing autographs, and embracing the culture. A quarterback needs to build an unbreakable bond with his offensive line. Taking an international flight with your star tackle and soaking in the pressure of a global spotlight is a fast track to doing exactly that.
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
This October clash at the 80,000-seat Stade de France is not a friendly exhibition. It counts towards the 2026 playoff race. The NFL will announce the specific opponent later this spring when the full schedule drops. For the Saints, handling the brutal logistics of an international trip—jet lag, shifted practice schedules, and alien locker rooms—can derail a season if mismanaged. The coaching staff must treat this excursion like a tactical strike. Secure the victory, stay healthy, and fly home without losing a step in the fierce NFC South divisional race.
