For a second-straight season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are international bound. Hosting the first NFL regular season game in Ireland last year, the Steelers will be the “away” team with the New Orleans Saints hosting them for the NFL’s first game in Paris. In Week 7, the Steelers and Saints will square off for a 9:30 AM/EST kickoff. First reported Tuesday evening and made official Wednesday morning, Steelers owner Art Rooney II reacted to the news.
“We’re honored to represent the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL in the league’s first-ever game in Paris this upcoming season,” Rooney said in a statement via the team website. “Playing the New Orleans Saints in such a historic setting is a great opportunity to showcase the NFL’s global growth and to connect with fans around the world. It’s an exciting moment for our organization and for Steelers Nation everywhere.”
Pittsburgh went over a decade without playing overseas after facing the Minnesota Vikings in London in 2013. It took until 2025 for the team to play another such game. Now, the team will play internationally in back-to-back years. The NFL has increased its global push with a record nine games overseas this season, a trend that’s only going to continue.
The NFL’s nine-game international game slate for 2026 is here.
Jacksonville won’t be home much in October.
One day, each week of the NFL calendar will have a game on foreign soil. pic.twitter.com/wntkHtsZ0S
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 13, 2026
While some fans are understandably frustrated by seeing another international game on the docket, the silver lining is this won’t take away one of Pittsburgh’s eight home games.
Pittsburgh’s trend of playing internationally is likely to continue. The Steelers are a popular pick to play in Mexico City with good odds the team will play there in 2027. That will almost certainly be a “home” game with the franchise having nine home games next season and being a strong draw given the Steelers’ connection to the fan base there.
Last year, the Steelers got off to a hot start and held off a late Vikings comeback to secure a win in Ireland. Pittsburgh will aim for a similar result against a rising Saints team featuring an exciting offense led by QB Tyler Shough, RB Travis Etienne, and receivers Chris Olave and rookie first-rounder Jordyn Tyson.