Welcoming nearly 80,000 fans less than 2 km from the site of the attack on New Year’s Eve is the challenge for New Orleans during the Sugar Bowl. The traditional American Football match – postponed because of the tragedy – will take place this Thursday (3 p.m. local time, or 10 p.m. in France) in the immense enclosure of the Caesars Superdome, just a few hundred meters from the now infamous Canal Street.
Full stands for 90 years
A match completely unknown to the general French public, but very important for American NFL fans. Launched in 1935, the annual university-level event, which this time will pit the Bulldogs of the University of Georgia against the Fighting Irish of the University of Notre Dame, is in its 91st edition.
VideoNew Orleans: identity of the suspect, testimonies… the story of the attack
The Sugar Bowl, which is played every year to a sold-out crowd at the New Orleans Superdome (a little over 79,000 tickets sold)represents the equivalent of the quarterfinals of the playoffs of the university season. This is an opportunity for dedicated followers to discover the future gems of the great professional league of the NFL. The winner of the match then qualifies for the semi-final of the “College Football Playoff”, which also has a very specific name: the Orange Bowl.
In more than 90 years of existence, and nearly 40 years in New Orleans, the Sugar Bowl has only been postponed once, after the passage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. This Wednesday evening, the decision was demanded by the police, mobilized by the investigation into the attack, the death toll of which rose to 15 dead.
“The Sugar Bowl committee is devastated”
The stadium was urgently closed following the events for security checks. People working at the venue, including Sugar Bowl officials, have been asked not to come on site until Wednesday evening.
“The Sugar Bowl committee is devastated by the terrible events,” said competition director Jeff Hundley. Our thoughts go first to the victims and their families. »
Already on site since Sunday, players from both teams are staying in downtown hotels, not far from Canal and Bourbon Street, but are safe and sound. “We are convinced that the participants (players and spectators) will have a safe and enjoyable experience,” the NFL tried to reassure in a press release.
Republican Governor Jeff Landry assured in a press conference that he would be at the stadium, promising maximum security. A life-size test for the league and the Superdome, which will host an even more famous event on February 9: the Super Bowl.
