New Orleans Rallies to Postpone Sugar Bowl and Heightens Security for Super Bowl

The Allstate Sugar Bowl, set for the evening of January 1, 2025, at New Orleans' Caesars Superdome, was postponed to the following afternoon after a terrorist attack killed 14 people.

Law enforcement needed to focus on the investigation, prompting the reschedule. The game proceeded without incident. Security around the Superdome, a mile from the attack site, was extensive. Hundreds of police, state troopers, Homeland Security agents, and bomb-sniffing dogs patrolled the area.

Rescheduling Challenges

Moving the game presented logistical hurdles. Plus, there was a time constraint. The Superdome had another event scheduled to load in on January 1, the day of the postponed game. 

Ultimately, not all fans could adjust their travel plans, leading to noticeable empty seats despite 68,400 tickets being sold. Official attendance was 57,267.

“There were so many organizations that had to work together to make this happen. It was a deeply collaborative process,” said Walt Leger III, president and CEO of New Orleans & Company, the official destination marketing and sales organization for the New Orleans tourism industry. 

“We thank the Notre Dame and Georgia fans who were able to extend their stay in New Orleans in solidarity. The Allstate Sugar Bowl has been held in New Orleans for 91 years. Except 2006, when it relocated to Atlanta due to Hurricane Katrina. It's a tremendous partner and friend to this city,” said Leger.

Fans scrambled to change flights and extend hotel stays. The New Orleans Marriott extended reservations for those who wanted to attend the game. It didn't have to cancel any of its events, said Frank Zumbo, area general manager “Our team was able to extend our event operations to accommodate and service in-house group business,” said Zumbo.

U.S. airlines offered travel waivers. Travelers who wanted to attend the postponed game could reschedule their flights without additional fees.

Looking Ahead to Super Bowl LIX

New Orleans is preparing to host an even larger event: Super Bowl LIX on February 9 

This is the city’s 11th time hosting the NFL’s championship game. In preparation for the game, the Caesars Superdome recently completed a $560 million renovation.

Ralph Brennan, proprietor of the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, which operates five restaurants in New Orleans, remembers the 2002 Super Bowl delay due to 9/11. The game had to be postponed, interfering with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) conference.

“The NADA came in a week earlier. This is a community that comes together when it has to and makes things work,” said Brennan.

Ironically, the NADA is meeting in New Orleans from January 23–26, just two weeks before the Super Bowl. Approximately 22,000 attendees and over 500 exhibitors are expected.

The NADA is working with the city and has a “robust plan” for safety at the show, it said in a statement.

The American Financial Services Association (AFSA), another group meeting in the city a few weeks before the Super Bowl, is also ramping up security plans.

“Your AFSA team has been in contact with our host hotel, the Roosevelt, and has been assured that the hotel has already put in place security measures and processes,” AFSA said in a statement.

“Similarly, in the wake of the attack, the Louisiana Governor’s Office has heightened security procedures to be implemented over the next several weeks,” AFSA said.

Safety and Resilience

Super Bowl weekend is popular amongst corporate groups and the New Year’s Eve attack has prompted planners to reassess security.

Diana McCaskill, CMP, CEO of Fruition Consulting, said her team is working to ensure the safety of a group she is bringing to the city before the Super Bowl. “We are in communication with the hotel and CVB to see what added security will be in place in the city. Additionally, we're considering hiring security for the group. And we’re allowing attendees to back out if they do not feel comfortable,” said McCaskill.

New Orleans has repeatedly rebounded from tragedy, from Hurricane Katrina to 9/11. “Our community’s spirit and resilience will not be deterred by this horrific act,” said Leger. “We have been knocked down and will get back up with collaboration and determination.”