Paris Saint-Germain’s meeting with Olympique Lyonnais has been moved by 24 hours after the Paris police prefecture ruled that the planned security operation could not accommodate the Ligue 1 fixture at the Parc des Princes.
PSG-Lyon pushed back to Monday
- Large demonstrations took place across France on 17 October, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. While most gatherings were peaceful, violence and shop looting were reported on the margins of protests in several major cities.
- A second day of mobilisation has been called for Saturday 24 October, with another substantial turnout expected nationwide.
- Security arrangements are set to be strengthened by 20%, with a significant share of police resources required in the capital.
- Paris police authorities consequently prevented PSG’s Ligue 1 Matchday 8 fixture against Lyon from being held as scheduled on Sunday 25 October at 20:45.
- The Professional Football League, despite initially opposing a calendar change, accepted the decision. The match will now take place at 20:30 on Monday 26 October and will be shown live on Ligue 1+.
The league confirmed that it had taken note of the police order and agreed the revised slot with Ligue 1+. The switch creates an unusual overlap for PSG, whose Lyon match will be played on the same evening as the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.
Ballon d’Or clash returns for Paris
Several PSG players are in contention for the individual prize, including Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha. It is the second year in succession that a major Paris fixture has collided with the Ballon d’Or night.
Last season, heavy rain in the Bouches-du-Rhône department forced the postponement of Marseille’s match against PSG. The rescheduled game at the Vélodrome, won 1-0 by Marseille, was played during the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, when Dembélé received the award.
NFL game remains on the calendar
Despite the protest plans and the disruption to PSG-Lyon, the NFL regular-season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints remains scheduled at the Stade de France on Sunday 26 October at 14:30.
The fixture marks the first time the NFL will stage a game in France, giving the event particular international importance even as French authorities prepare for another demanding weekend of public-order operations.
