NFL aims for a mini Super Bowl in Paris as Steelers-Saints week begins under a security cloud

The NFL wants its first regular-season game in France to feel like a Super Bowl.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints meet Sunday at Stade de France outside Paris. The buildup has been partly overshadowed by security worries as French authorities consider curfews after recent civil unrest.

League says plans are on track

The league said Sunday that preparations are continuing as scheduled and that there has been no disruption at its sites. An NFL House fan hub opens later this week.

"We continue to work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters," the league said. "We are also providing the two clubs with regular updates."

The Saints flew out from New York right after beating the Giants 34-27 on Sunday and arrived in Paris on Monday morning. "Our guys are really looking forward to this. It's going to be an awesome setup, awesome opportunity," coach Kellen Moore said.

Brett Gosper, the NFL's head of Europe and Asia-Pacific, said the goal is to win over new fans in a single week. "If we can make this week as much like a Super Bowl as possible, a mini-Super Bowl, then we'll hopefully recruit some new fans this week and that's the whole goal," he said.

A full house

Stade de France holds about 82,000 people. Gosper said 70% of tickets were bought locally, about 20% by fans coming from the United States and about 10% from elsewhere in Europe. "We don't announce sellouts, but the stadium is full," he said.

State broadcaster France Télévisions will carry the game free to air. Gosper said the league has not decided whether to return to France every year.

French stars join in

Paris Saint-Germain has partnered with the NFL on two special NFL-style jerseys. One uses PSG's blue, red and white. The other is a maroon and gold design. Both carry the Paris department number 75 and a fleur-de-lis, a symbol that also appears on the Saints' logo.

Saints players were invited to PSG's Champions League match against Barcelona on Tuesday night. Kylian Mbappé put on pads and a helmet for an NFL social media video with Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. France rugby star Antoine Dupont is expected at Sunday's game.