MUSKETEERS HONOURED AS FREEDOM 250 PARTNER
The Paris Musketeers will take centre stage in the 250th anniversary celebrations of American independence after being named an official Freedom 250 partner by the U.S. Embassy in France, positioning the club at the heart of a year-long programme spanning sport, business and cultural exchange.
The initiative commemorates the historic alliance forged during the American Revolution while spotlighting modern cooperation between France and the United States. The Musketeers’ involvement places American football firmly within that narrative, with the club tasked with representing the sporting dimension of the anniversary.
“France was America’s first ally and, 250 years later, our partnership continues to grow stronger,” said U.S. ambassador to France, Charles Kushner. “Through sports, business, and community engagement, we are writing the next chapter of the Franco-American alliance.”
Central to those ambitions is the Musketeers’ existing transatlantic relationship with the New Orleans Saints, a partnership that continues to expand beyond the field. The collaboration is expected to underpin a series of initiatives tied to the Freedom 250 programme, ranging from youth development to commercial and institutional engagement.
“Congratulations to the Paris Musketeers on being named an official Freedom 250 partner,” Saints owner Gayle Benson commented. “The Saints are thrilled to support this celebration of 250 years of Franco-American friendship through sports, community and youth development. Our partnership reflects our long-standing commitment to France, including the development of NFL Flag and strengthening ties between our communities. That commitment will be highlighted this fall when the Saints travel to Paris for the first-ever NFL game played in France, a historic moment that honours the enduring bond between our two nations.”
For the Musketeers, the designation reinforces a broader identity that extends beyond on-field performance, aligning with the organisation’s long-term strategy of acting as a conduit between European and American football ecosystems.
“For the Paris Musketeers, this is both an honour and a responsibility,” noted CEO John McKeon. “Our mission has always been to use sports as a bridge between France and the United States, not only on the field, but also in business, youth development and community engagement. Being recognised as a Freedom 250 partner confirms that our club represents something bigger than just a game; it embodies the partnership, ambition and shared opportunities between the two sides of the Atlantic.”
That vision will be most visible on July 5th, when the Musketeers host a designated Freedom 250 game featuring ceremonial elements and collaborative activations designed to reflect shared democratic values and entrepreneurial spirit. The fixture is also intended as a launchpad for wider engagement, including corporate hospitality, transatlantic networking initiatives and Franco-American economic round tables.
The event forms part of the Musketeers’ 2026 campaign, which opens on May 23rd at Stade Bauer in Saint-Ouen. A five-game home slate will see the Paris franchise host the Prague Lions, Munich Ravens, Raiders Tirol, Frankfurt Galaxy and Nordic Storm as the club looks to build momentum on and off the field in a landmark year for Franco-American relations.