Arena Bowl XXII kicks off with events beginning on Thursday, July 24th. New Orleans, the premiere Super Bowl City, is the perfect host for this football championship. New Orleans came late to the Arena Football League, with the arrival of the New Orleans VooDoo in 2004. Once again this year, the fans and the city are coming up big for the Arena Bowl.
ArenaBowl XXII:
The big game is Sunday, July 27th at 3:00 p.m., and pits the San Jose SaberCats against the Philadelphia Soul. Well before you get to the game itself, the AFL and the city of New Orleans have planned several days of football, food, and music events. It's New Orleans, after all, and we use any excuse for a party.
Thursday, Pre-Game Events:
The fun begins Thursday, July 24th at the JW Marriott Hotel with Radio Row. At the Conde/Frontenac Room from 4:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m., you can watch live broadcasts that feature interviews with players, owners and celebrities. Radio Row will continue through Saturday night. Also, on Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) will host an ArenaBowl XXII breakfast in the main ballroom of the JW Marriott New Orleans Hotel.
Friday, July 25:
The AFL is hosting the ADT ArenaBall Awards Gala from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Louisiana Super Dome. The evening begins with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and the Awards show presentation. This is a ticketed event and is semi-formal.
On Friday and Saturday there will be an ArenaBowl XXII Merchandise Store at the JW Marriott Hotel from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Also, right outside the store is an autograph area. Do not miss the opportunity to get autographs from some of the premier players in the Arena Football League including the 2008 AFL award winners.
Saturday, July 26:
For the kids, there is a Kid's Zone at the VooDoo/Saints Complex in Kenner (a suburb of New Orleans). There are lots of interactive games for the whole family and you can tour the VooDoo/Saints complex.
For the adults, Harrah's Casino is having a big party on Fulton Street from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. It's free and there will be music by New Orleans’ own Rockin’ Doopsie, appearances by the VooDoo Dolls and Miller Girls and prize drawings for ArenaBowl XXII tickets and cash. After that, the party moves to the JAX Brewery Parking parking lot in the French Quarter where the Mitsubishi Motors ArenaBowl Extravaganza features Huey Lewis and the News. The Philadelphia Soul Band and Drum Line will lead the 2nd annual ArenaBowl street parade, beginning on Fulton Street at Harrah’s Casino at 5:30 p.m. over to the Extravaganza.
Game Day, Sunday, July 27:
There's a major fan event at the New Orleans Arena, on the Girod Street side from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
At the New Orleans Arena, at 3:00 p.m., the SaberCats and the Soul will decide which team is best in the league. The game is broadcast on ESPN and on ABC HD.
Post Game:
At Harrah's Casino, your Arena Bowl ticket stub will get you free admission into the Masquerade Lounge.
More information:
A detailed shuttle will be available on-site at the JW Marriott New Orleans Hotel. For more information on tickets and stats, go to the official website.
Other Events:
Don't forget, you are in delicious city. Besides the AFL activities, currently ongoing events include great restaurant deals from COOLinary New Orleans and the French Quarter Treasure Hunt. Good luck to everybody!
