The Louisiana Superdome is an integral part of the landscape of New Orleans. For years before Hurricane Katrina, and for some years now afterwards, the Superdome has stood as a symbol of the city.
The Dome:
The Superdome was completed in 1975, at a cost of a mere $163 million, for the New Orleans Saints. The Saints had played at Tulane Stadium in the early part of their existence, and the Dome soon became home not only to them, but to the Tulane Green Wave. Besides football, the Dome was also headquarters for our first NBA team, the New Orleans Jazz. It has hosted six Superbowls, three BCS National Championships, and the Sugar Bowl since 1976. Countless concerts, including the memorable Rolling Stones concert in 1981, political conventions, papal audiences, NCAA basketball, monster truck rallies--the Dome has seen it all.
Some Stats:
The world's largest steel-constructed room unobstructed by posts, the Dome has 166,464 square feet of column-free space in its expanded configuration. The Dome is 252 feet high and 680 feet in diameter. It seats 72,003 for football. There are 137 suites and 5000 parking spaces.
After Katrina:
Twenty thousand people sought refuge in the Dome during Hurricane Katrina, and their suffering was well-documented by the media. After the hurricane, the Dome was refurbished and repaired, the cost of which exceeded the original amount expended for building it. The Superdome re-opened on September 25, 2006, on Monday Night Football. It was one of the most emotional experiences imaginable, especially after the Saints won.
The Present:
Today, the Dome is still the home of the Saints and Greenwave. It hosts Essence Fest, the Bayou Classic, the New Orleans Bowl, giant tradeshows, concerts, and private events.
Contact Information:
The address listed is by the Superbowl is Sugar Bowl Drive, New Orleans, LA 70112, but the Dome is located at 1500 Poydras, in downtown New Orleans. Call (504)587-3663 or 1-800-756-7074. Check the website.
