Caesars Superdome
Plans to build the Superdome were drawn up in 1967 by the New Orleans modernist architectural firm of Curtis and Davis. Local businessman David Dixon conceived the project while trying to convince the NFL to award a franchise to New Orleans. He won support from Louisiana Governor John McKeithen after touring the Astrodome in Houston, Texas in 1966. Bonds for construction passed on the 8th of November 1966, seven days after Commissioner Pete Rozelle awarded New Orleans its 25th professional football franchise. The stadium was conceptualized as multifunctional with movable field level stands for different sports. Blount International of Montgomery, Alabama was chosen to build the facility. Various eccentric models developed during construction included one made of sugar and another consisting of pennies. Norman J. Kientz built the penny model using 2,697 coins and donated it to the Superdome Board of Commissioners in April 1974. The final cost skyrocketed to $165 million due to political delays and the 1973 oil crisis. Construction did not start until the 11th of August 1971 and finished in August 1975. The dome covers an expanse with a lamellar multi-ringed frame having a diameter making it the largest fixed domed structure in the world.
The Superdome served as a shelter of last resort when Hurricane Katrina struck on the 29th of August 2005. A large section of the outer covering peeled off from high winds exposing concrete underneath. This became an iconic image of the disaster. Three deaths occurred by August 31 including two elderly medical patients and a man who jumped from upper-level seats. Unconfirmed reports mentioned rape, vandalism, violent assaults, crack dealing, drug abuse, and gang activity inside the dome. New Orleans Police Superintendent Eddie Compass reported no confirmed sexual assault cases on September 11. United States Navy sniper Chris Kyle claimed he killed 30 armed looters during the chaos but this remains unverified. The building remained closed until reopening on the 25th of September 2006 for the Saints home opener against Atlanta Falcons. The $185 million repair cost included $115 million from FEMA, $13 million from the state, $41 million refinanced through bonds, and $15 million from the NFL. A new Sportexe Momentum Turf surface was installed for the 2006 season. The Saints won their first post-Katrina game 23-3 with 70,003 in attendance before reaching their first NFC Championship Game.
The Superdome has hosted eight Super Bowls including most recently Super Bowl LIX in the 9th of February 2025. The first Super Bowl played there was XII in January 1978 between Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos attended by 76,400 spectators. Other Super Bowls include XV in 1981, XX in 1986, XXIV in 1990, XXXI in 1997, XXXVI in 2002, and XLVII in 2013. The 2013 game featured a partial power failure lasting about 34 minutes during the third quarter between Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. An electrical relay device caused the outage but the stadium's own power system remained uncompromised. The New Orleans Saints moved into the facility in 1975 playing their home opener on September 28 against Cincinnati Bengals in a 21-0 shutout loss. Tulane Stadium was condemned for destruction that same day. Since reopening after Hurricane Katrina, the dome developed a reputation for extreme home field advantage. During a 2010 pregame interview, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre called it the most hostile environment he ever experienced. Some Vikings players wore earplugs because they could not hear anything during offensive drives by visiting teams.
The NCAA has hosted Men's Final Four championships at the Superdome six times in 1982, 1987, 1993, 2003, 2012, and 2022. The 1982 final between University of North Carolina and Georgetown featured 15 lead changes before Michael Jordan hit the game-winning shot. The NBA's New Orleans Jazz used the Superdome as their home court from 1975 to 1979. In 1977, the Jazz set an attendance record with 35,077 watching Pete Maravich face Julius Erving. The stadium hosted SEC men's basketball tournaments in 1996 and 2003. Tulane played games there from opening until 1982 then occasionally through the 1990s before moving to New Orleans Arena in 1999. The venue also hosted AAU Junior Olympics basketball competition in 1996. Baseball capacity reached 63,525 when plaza level seats remained movable. First baseball game occurred the 6th of April 1976 between Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros. Professional baseball ended with a two-game series on April 3-4, 1999 called the New Orleans Major League Baseball Classic featuring Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins. The American Association New Orleans Pelicans played at the dome during 1977 season drawing 217,957 total attendees.
The Superdome has hosted major music acts ranging from The Rolling Stones to Beyoncé. Between August 28 and the 14th of September 1975, grand opening celebrations included Bob Hope, Chayl Jhuren, Telly Savalas, Dorothy Lamour, Karen Valentine, and Raquel Welch. On the 3rd of October 1975, June Carter, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, and Jessi Colter performed for Governor Edwin Edwards and his family. The annual Essence Music Festival has been held every year since 1995 except 2006 and 2020. Beyoncé performed multiple times including the 6th of July 2007, the 3rd of July 2009, the 7th of July 2013, the 20th of July 2014, the 24th of September 2016, the 13th of September 2018, and the 27th of September 2023. Taylor Swift played on the 22nd of September 2018 drawing 53,172 fans with revenue of $6,491,546. The highest-grossing concert was The Rolling Stones No Filter Tour on the 15th of July 2019 earning $7,163,692 from 35,023 attendees. Other notable acts include U2, Prince, David Bowie, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Guns N' Roses, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Cher, and Chris Brown.
Naming rights were first sold in 2011 to Mercedes-Benz renaming the facility Mercedes-Benz Superdome. In July 2021, Caesars Entertainment purchased naming rights making it Caesars Superdome. Phase one renovation plans approved November 2019 cost $450 million designed by Trahan Architects. Work began January 2020 installing alternative exits and constructing a large kitchen area. Renovations completed over multiple phases in time for Super Bowl LIX hosting early 2025. New windows installed in 2008 brought natural light into the building. Between 2009 and 2010, more than of aluminum siding replaced with new panels returning exterior to original champagne bronze color. Escalators added outside club rooms each suite includes raised ceilings, leather sofas, flat-screen TVs, glass brushed aluminum, and wood-grain furnishings. A new $600,000 point-of-sale system allowed credit card purchases throughout stadium for first time. UBU Speed S5-M synthetic turf system installed summer 2010 then updated again in 2017. Turf Nation Inc supplied systems for 2018, 2019, and 2020 NFL seasons. Lower bowl demolition began 2011 increasing seating by 3,500 seats widening plaza concourse adding bunker club lounges. Express elevators installed taking coaches and media from ground level to press box. In 2021, 4,300 seats removed improving fan experience by widening concourses and adding quick-service concessions.
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Common questions
Who designed the Caesars Superdome and when was it built?
The New Orleans modernist architectural firm of Curtis and Davis drew up plans for the Caesars Superdome in 1967. Construction started on the 11th of August 1971 and finished in August 1975.
What happened to the Caesars Superdome during Hurricane Katrina in 2005?
A large section of the outer covering peeled off from high winds exposing concrete underneath when Hurricane Katrina struck the Caesars Superdome on the 29th of August 2005. The building remained closed until reopening on the 25th of September 2006 after repairs costing $185 million.
How many times has the Caesars Superdome hosted a Super Bowl game?
The Caesars Superdome has hosted eight Super Bowls including most recently Super Bowl LIX on the 9th of February 2025. Other games include Super Bowl XII in January 1978, Super Bowl XV in 1981, Super Bowl XX in 1986, Super Bowl XXIV in 1990, Super Bowl XXXI in 1997, Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002, and Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.
Which music acts have performed at the Caesars Superdome since its opening?
Major music acts ranging from The Rolling Stones to Beyoncé have performed at the Caesars Superdome since its grand opening celebrations began between August 28 and the 14th of September 1975. Notable performers include U2, Prince, David Bowie, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Guns N' Roses, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Cher, and Chris Brown.
When did Caesars Entertainment purchase naming rights for the stadium?
Caesars Entertainment purchased naming rights for the facility in July 2021 making it the Caesars Superdome. Naming rights were first sold in 2011 to Mercedes-Benz renaming the facility Mercedes-Benz Superdome before this transaction.