Caesars Superdome

About Caesars Superdome

Caesars Superdome rises from the heart of downtown New Orleans like a spacecraft that landed and never left. With 73,208 seats under the largest fixed dome on earth, this is where the NFL’s New Orleans Saints have played since 1975 — and where more Super Bowls have been played than at any other stadium in history.

Located in the Central Business District, the Superdome sits just 15 minutes on foot from the French Quarter. That proximity to world-class food, music, and nightlife makes game day in New Orleans unlike anything else in professional sports. You don’t just attend an event here — you build a weekend around it.

The dome was designed by New Orleans architects Curtis and Davis and opened on August 3, 1975. Originally budgeted at $46 million, the 1973 oil crisis pushed the final cost to $165 million. The structure spans 680 feet in diameter, covers 13 acres, and required over 20,000 tons of steel. A $560 million renovation completed in 2024 by Trahan Architects modernized every corner — new atriums, reclaimed public space, and upgraded premium areas — without altering the iconic exterior.

The Superdome’s résumé is unmatched: 8 Super Bowls, 6 NCAA Final Fours, WrestleMania, the Essence Festival, and concerts from the Rolling Stones to Taylor Swift (who drew 191,000 fans over three nights in 2024). Muhammad Ali won his third Heavyweight title here in 1978. This building has seen everything.

Getting to Caesars Superdome

Public Transit

The Loyola Avenue streetcar line is your best bet. The Poydras Street Station is a 6-minute walk from the stadium, and the Loyola-UPT stop near Union Passenger Terminal is even closer.

Multiple RTA bus routes also serve the area, including lines 3, 16, 52, 57, 61, 84, and 91. On event days, expect heavier service along Poydras and Loyola corridors.

Driving + Parking

The stadium address is 1500 Sugar Bowl Drive, New Orleans, LA 70112. I-10 runs directly past the Superdome — look for the Superdome/Claiborne Avenue exit.

There are 7 parking garages and 2 surface lots (Lot 3 and Lot 4) managed by Legends Global. Expect to pay $40–$100 depending on the event. No tailgating is allowed in stadium lots — Champions Square across the street is the official pregame gathering spot, opening 4 hours before kickoff.

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft are widely available in New Orleans. Designated rideshare zones are on Poydras Street (between Clara Street and Loyola Avenue) and along Loyola Avenue near Duncan Plaza. Pickups and drop-offs are not allowed at the stadium itself — the zones are geo-fenced.

From the French Quarter, expect a ride of about $8–$15 and 5 minutes. After events, walk a few blocks away from the dome before requesting a pickup to avoid surge pricing and long waits.

From the Airport

Katrina and the Rebirth

When Hurricane Katrina struck on August 29, 2005, the Superdome became the most desperate shelter in American history. Between 25,000 and 30,000 people took refuge inside as the storm ripped away sections of the roof and floodwaters knocked out power, plumbing, and hope. Photos of the torn dome became defining images of the disaster.

The damage was staggering — 80% of the roof destroyed, mold spreading through every level, electrical systems gutted. Initial estimates said rebuilding could take over two years. Instead, Trahan Architects led 35 contractors and 850 workers through an accelerated $200 million restoration. On September 25, 2006, the Saints played their first home game since the storm — a 23–3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons that remains one of the most emotional nights in NFL history.

History of Caesars Superdome

The Louisiana Superdome was conceived in 1967 by architects Curtis and Davis as a bold bet on New Orleans’ future. Construction began in August 1971, and after delays and cost overruns from the oil crisis, the dome opened on August 3, 1975 — the largest enclosed stadium the world had ever seen.

Super Bowl XII (1978): The first Super Bowl played in prime time, putting the Superdome on the national stage as Dallas defeated Denver 27–10.

Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks (1978): Ali won his third and final Heavyweight Championship in front of 65,000 fans — a moment that transcended sports.

Super Bowl XX (1986): The Bears demolished the Patriots 46–10 in what many consider the most dominant Super Bowl performance ever.

Super Bowl XLVII — The Blackout Bowl (2013): A partial power outage halted play for 34 minutes in the third quarter as Baltimore beat San Francisco. It became one of the most talked-about Super Bowls in history.

Super Bowl LIX (2025): The Superdome’s eighth Super Bowl, capping a $560 million renovation that brought the 50-year-old building fully into the modern era.

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour (2024): Three sold-out nights drew 191,000 fans — the highest-attended concert series in Superdome history.

Through name changes — Louisiana Superdome (1975), Mercedes-Benz Superdome (2011), Caesars Superdome (2021) — and through the worst natural disaster to hit an American city, this building has endured. It is New Orleans distilled into architecture: resilient, defiant, and always ready for a celebration.