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Sugar Bowl security increased to Super Bowl levels at Superdome after terrorist attack on Bourbon Street

Matt Connollyby:Matt Connolly•01/02/25•

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Sugar Bowl
(© Marc Weiszer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The Ceasers Superdome has increased security for Thursday afternoon’s Sugar Bowl matchup between Notre Dame and Georgia after a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street early Wednesday morning.

ESPN reporter Laura Rutledge joined The Pat McAFee Show on Thursday and shared that the Sugar Bowl will have the level of security that is typically reserved for the Super Bowl. On3’s Tyler Horka posted a picture from outside of the Superdome showing the increased security presence. You can check it out below:

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The terrorist attack killed at least 15 people and injured several more on New Year’s Day in New Orleans. According to the AP, the incident occurred toward the end of New Year’s celebrations, at 3:15 a.m.

A suspect drove a pickup truck down Bourbon Street and into a crowd. Law enforcement officials also confirmed explosives were found near the site, and an ISIS flag was in the vehicle.

The Sugar Bowl was postponed after the terrorist attack and will kick off on Thursday at 4 p.m. Rutledge provided additional details as far as how security is being increased for the game.

“There have been major security advancements here at the stadium,” Rutledge said. “Now they already have security planned, right? But they are doubling that, essentially.

“Basically we were told that it’s the same amount of security that you would see for the Super Bowl, which of course is going to be here in February. So all of those precautions that they would take they’re doing that. You’ve gotta go through a secondary level of security to get into this stadium.”

The game was slated to kick off Wednesday night. However, Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said that “all parties agree it’s in the best interests of everybody and public safety that we postpone the game.”

Rutledge added that law enforcement officials have been working hard to ensure that the Superdome is safe.

“They did have the police dogs come in here yesterday. They were looking for explosives. They didn’t find any. I have seen some of those police dogs here today. So that security presence, you see the law enforcement here,” Rutledge said. “And I would just shout them out, because they have had to go through so much here. … They’ve been putting so much into making sure people are safe here. And a law enforcement official actually told me that the Superdome is probably the safest place in New Orleans right now.”