New Orleans Sugar Bowl POSTPONED Following French Quarter Attack

Posted on: January 1, 2025, 11:47h. 

Last updated on: January 1, 2025, 01:33h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Update (2pm EST) — The Sugar Bowl has been postponed until Thursday.

The Allstate Sugar Bowl remains scheduled for an 8:45 pm EST kickoff inside the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans despite the Big Easy being the site of a New Year’s massacre.

New Orleans attack Sugar Bowl football
Police investigators surround a white truck that ran down pedestrians along Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter on New Year’s Day. The Sugar Bowl in the nearby Caesars Superdome will go on as planned tonight, Jan. 1, 2025. (Image: Getty)

Around 3:15 a.m. local time, police say a white pickup truck entered the famed French Quarter’s Bourbon Street at Canal. The vehicle barreled down the bustling corridor striking pedestrians reveling the start of 2025. The start of the new year was a tragic end for some, as law enforcement said the attack resulted in at least 10 deaths. More than 30 others were injured in the rampage.

The driver was killed after engaging in a firefight with police. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell described the incident as a “terrorist attack” and that the incident was “clearly intentional.” The FBI said it’s investigating the matter as an act of terrorism. The federal law enforcement agency said an Islamic State group flag was found on the truck. 

“My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday,” President Joe Biden said in a written statement. “There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.” 

Game Still On 

Both teams participating in the Sugar Bowl, part of the quarterfinals of the 2024 College Football Playoff, expressed sympathy for the victims and those injured. Game officials and law enforcement leaders said the Georgia versus Notre Dame showdown will go on as planned.

We want our community and our visitors to continue enjoying New Orleans,” said New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick. “We are going to make sure our routes and our Superdome are safe today for the game. We had this tragic event and we’re sorry to everyone in our community, but we do want you to go about the day. Just stay away from Bourbon St.”

The Sugar Bowl will be played in the Caesars Superdome. The casino company acquired the naming rights to the storied New Orleans venue in July 2021. The 20-year deal cost the gaming giant $138 million, or $6.9 million a year.

The Superdome name deal came in conjunction with Caesars announcing a $325 million overhaul of its Harrah’s New Orleans casino along Canal St. Caesars eventually spent $435 million on transitioning the casino property to Caesars New Orleans.

The project included the construction of a 15-story, 340-room hotel and complete renovation of the 115K-square-foot casino floor. A World Series of Poker Room and Caesars Sportsbook were also added. 

Sugar Bowl Odds

Today, three teams will advance to the CFP semifinals to join Penn State, which beat Boise St. last night 31-14.

Texas is a 13.5-point favorite against Arizona State in the Peach Bowl, which kicks off at 1 pm EST. Ohio State is a 2.5-point favorite against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, which starts at 5 pm. Notre Dame is a one-point favorite against Georgia.

DraftKings maintains Texas as the favorite for the National Championship at +325. Ohio State is next at +340, followed by Penn State (+425), Oregon (+450), Georgia (+600), Notre Dame (+650), and Arizona State (+6000).