What New Orleans learned from hosting the Super Bowl
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Philadelphia Eagles fan Frank Mannino of Dallas walks down Bourbon Street ahead of the 2025 Super Bowl. Photo: Michael DeMocker/Getty Images
It's only been a year since New Orleans hosted the Super Bowl, and city leaders are already going after their next one.
Why it matters: Officials are rethinking how New Orleans hosts big events, with an emphasis on making them more financially viable for the city.
The big picture: San Francisco hosts the Super Bowl this weekend between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.
- The catch — the stadium is about an hour from the city center, and social media has lit up with complaints about getting around. See Axios reporter Claire Reilly's explainer.
- It's a stark contrast from last year, when fans could walk from the French Quarter to the Caesars Superdome.
- The proximity is a huge benefit, with NFL Network personality Kimmi Chex and podcaster Van Lathan Jr. among those calling for the game to be in New Orleans every year or two.
Yes, but: City Council members, primarily then-Councilmember Oliver Thomas, last year questioned whether the festivities financially benefited residents and local businesses.
- The state owns the Superdome, so the city doesn't get money from concessions or events.
- However, the city is responsible for security and infrastructure outside the building.
By the numbers: Last year's Super Bowl had a $1.25 billion economic impact in the state, according to an LSU study.
- It brought in $48.1 million in state taxes and $28.4 million in local taxes, the study says.
- New Orleans' 2025 budget planned for nearly $15 million in Super Bowl tax income, but the city only realized $8 million last year, the city's former chief administrative officer, Joe Threat, said at the time.
- The city spent about $60 million on infrastructure and beautification projects, he said.
Zoom in: Mayor Helena Moreno, tourism execs and NOPD leadership are exploring ways to recover their costs.
- Example: NOPD charged Live Nation for extra police at NBA YoungBoy's shows last year.
- Plus, Moreno wants the city to charge promoters an impact fee for events, similar to those in Austin and Chicago.
- Walt Leger, president and CEO of New Orleans & Co., tells Axios' Chelsea Brasted his organization is studying the fee, which would offset costs associated with hosting big events.
- Leger says they hope to have a proposal late this year.
What worked: Moreno campaigned on offering Super Bowl-level city services and has now modeled her infrastructure leadership after the Super Bowl efforts, which GNO Inc. CEO Michael Hecht led.
- She tapped him to help with a new Infrastructure Coordinating Council.
- The goal, her administration says, is to expedite major street projects.
What's next: New Orleans is expected to bid on the 2031 Super Bowl.
- If it wins, the city will set a new record for hosting the most Super Bowls.
- New Orleans has so far hosted 11, tied with Miami.
Go deeper: Follow Axios San Francisco for Super Bowl coverage