Photos by Lance Sutehall, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
Caesars Superdome 1500 Sugar Bowl Dr New Orleans, LA 70112
Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 73,208
New Orleans Bowl
One of the first bowl games to be played every bowl season is the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The game is traditionally a matchup between programs from Conference USA and the Sun Belt Conference.
Hosted at the Caesars Superdome, the New Orleans Bowl has seen great games and electric atmospheres, particularly if local teams such as the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are playing (they have played seven times).
Food & Beverage 4
You may have a hard time deciding what to eat while you are at the Caesars Superdome given that you have a lot of options to choose from. Keep in mind the concession stands are cashless.
Local options such as jambalaya ($14), sausage po-boys ($14), shrimp pasta ($16), and a Creole crawfish pie ($10.50) are on the menu. The standard stadium foods include hot dogs ($6.50), pizza ($10), wings ($14), nachos ($10), double cheeseburgers ($14), chicken tenders ($13) and pretzels ($8).
You can wash down your food with bottled water ($5), coke products ($6) and sweet tea ($6). If you want alcohol, be prepared to drop some dollars as Budweiser or Coors products are going to cost you $10.50 for small beers or $14.50 if you want a larger beer. You can also buy wine ($11) or cocktails ($17).
There are several options in the Caesars Superdome but for a real New Orleans food experience I recommend eating at a restaurant pregame or postgame.
Atmosphere 3
One drawback of the New Orleans Bowl is that the Caesars Superdome’s capacity is significantly larger than the game’s attendance in recent years. The bowl has not seen a crowd of over 25,000 fans since 2016. However, being in a dome makes smaller crowds louder and typically there will be at least one team that’s close to New Orleans bringing an excited contingent of fans.
Neighborhood 5
If you are only coming to New Orleans just to see the Caesars Superdome you are doing New Orleans completely wrong! No matter if you are a single adult looking for a good time or you want to visit some attractions with your family you can find plenty of things to do in the Big Easy.
For those looking for family-friendly activities, the Audubon Aquarium is right next to the Mississippi River at Woldenberg Park, the Audubon Zoo is 5 miles away from the Caesars Superdome, and there are several museums including the National WWII Museum.
Of course, New Orleans is famous for its nightlife, especially in the French Quarter. There are a plethora of restaurants for you to enjoy a night on the town. For po-boy’s try out the Voodoo Tavern, stop by the Cajun Dragon Grill for your Cajun cravings, or hit up Cafe Du Monde for a beignet. The French Quarter also has plenty of bars if that is what you are looking for.
Fans 4
While the fans do not fill the Caesars Superdome to the brim the supporters that do show up get behind their teams. Fans of all ages paint their chests, get loud, chant their team's chants, and get excited when a big play happens. 15,000 fans at the New Orleans Bowl can sound like 50,000 fans at another game.
Access 5
If you are coming to New Orleans from far away the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is only 13 miles away from the Caesars Superdome.
Getting to the Caesars Superdome is a breeze because there are two exits off Interstate 10. There are seven parking garages and two surface lots at the Superdome but parking there is going to cost you $35. You can secure a spot in a parking garage for under $10 within a mile of the Superdome if you plan.
If you are staying in the French Quarter I would recommend leaving your car and either walk to the Superdome or take a taxi.
Once inside the Caesars Superdome, the concourses are easy to navigate and there are plenty of restrooms.
Return on Investment 3
The ticket prices for the New Orleans Bowl are higher than comparable bowls around the region. They are $60 for corner seats and $80 if you want to sit closer to midfield. If you buy a $60 ticket, drop the $35 for onsite parking, have a po'boy, and wash it down with a small beer you would spend $120 by yourself, $200 for a hangout or date, and $360 for a family of four. This price is on the high side for a bowl game featuring C-USA and Sun Belt teams. However, not many bowl game venues are the caliber of the Caesars Superdome.
Extras 4
New Orleans is one of the most unique cities in the United States and is worth checking out at least once in your life.
There is a yoga session at 7:30 am the morning of the game on the turf of the Caesars Superdome. If you register and participate you get a complimentary ticket to the New Orleans Bowl.
The Caesars Superdome is scheduled to host Super Bowl LIX in 2025.
The Caesars Superdome shares a complex with the Smoothie King Center, the home for the NBA’s Pelicans and a popular concert venue.
Final Thoughts
The New Orleans Bowl may not be a Super Bowl, CFP National Championship, or a Sugar Bowl. But to the teams playing in the game, it’s a chance to play in a historic NFL stadium with their families and fans cheering them on. For fans, it's an opportunity to see one of the most unique and historic sports venues in the United States.