Sugar Bowl updates kickoff time for Georgia-Notre Dame Playoff game

NEW ORLEANS — The 2025 Allstate Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame was ‘postponed 24 hours’ earlier on Wednesday in the wake of a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street New Year’s Day, but after discussion and deliberation between all involved parties, the Bulldogs and Irish will kickoff earlier than expected. An official statement from the Sugar Bowl committee, the game is set to begin from the Superdome in New Orleans at 4:00 pm ET, 3:00 pm locally, airing on ESPN.

With law enforcement assets that would typically be allocated to an event of this stature currently engaged in active investigations related to the incident, the postponement will allow for additional security resources to be put in place in order to maintain the typical standards of a major event in the Caesars Superdome.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families as we work through this,” said Jeff Hundley, the chief executive officer of the Allstate Sugar Bowl. “We have full faith and confidence in the governor and the mayor and all the federal, state, and local first-responders that they’ve applied to this horrific event. Any time we have an event like the Sugar Bowl, public safety is paramount, and all parties involved agree that could only be achieved with a postponement. Now we will move ahead to take care of the details to make the Sugar Bowl the first-class, fun, and safe event that it has been for over 90 years.”

“On behalf of the College Football Playoff, we are devastated by this morning’s attack, and our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy,” said Rich Clark, the executive director of the College Football Playoff. “We are grateful to the leadership of the Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, the State of Louisiana and federal authorities as we work together to ensure we can provide a safe environment for everyone. We are also appreciative of ESPN’s flexibility in moving the game to tomorrow afternoon.”

Around 3:15 a.m. locally, not long after folks gathered to ring in the New Year in the French Quarter, a truck raced into tourists on Bourbon Street with a firefight that ensued after the vehicle came to a stop. Officers returned fire, killing the suspect, Shamsud Din Jabbar. ABC News has the death total at 15 with dozens others injured. According to UGA president Jere Morehead, who released a statement earlier, a Georgia student was injured in the incident.

Improvised explosive devices were reportedly found in and around the scene on Bourbon Street, leaving investigators from multiple law enforcement agencies looking for more in the city’s French Quarter, sweeping Caesar’s Superdome for security as well.

“We are deeply saddened by the senseless violence that occurred in New Orleans,” the University of Georgia Athletics Association shared in a statement. “All team personnel and members of the official team travel party have been accounted for. Currently, we are in contact with local law enforcement as well as representatives from the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff and are continuing to gather more information. Our prayers are with all those who traveled here for the Sugar Bowl and entire New Orleans community.”

“Our prayers are with everyone involved in this horrific event, and we are here to support them in any way possible,” director of athletics Josh Brooks added. “As a native Louisianian, I know how special this place is. The people of New Orleans and this entire community are resilient and will remain strong during this time of healing.”

ESPN’s Laura Rutledge reported that both Georgia and Notre Dame have been in “shelter in place” all day Wednesday with both teams staying within a number of blocks from the scene of the attack.

Georgia & Notre Dame will remain in their hotels for the rest of today "essentially on lockdown" while the Sugar Bowl is postponed, reports @LauraRutledge pic.twitter.com/IMUKaHV811

— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) January 1, 2025

New Orleans & Company Statement

“New Orleans & Company is in touch with city and state officials and is monitoring the tragic mass casualty incident that occurred on Bourbon Street early on the morning of New Year’s Day. We send our deepest condolences to all of the victims and their families. We defer to the FBI, New Orleans Police Department, the Louisiana State Police and city officials for updates on exactly what occurred and the ongoing investigation. Initial reports indicate this was an intentional act of violence, which we condemn. In New Orleans, ours is a culture of community and inclusivity and we welcome millions of people every year to join us. We continue to mourn for those impacted. We know that the spirit of New Orleans is one of resilience that cannot be diminished by this horrific act.” – Walt Leger III, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company