New Orleans: A Sports Hub with a Soccer Gap
A History of Hosting Meteors, Misfires and the NFL
Despite being a hotbed for major sporting events, New Orleans has a curious gap in its sporting resume: a lackluster soccer presence. While the city boasts the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, and its iconic Superdome has hosted mega events like the Super Bowl and Taylor Swift concerts, soccer has never truly taken root.
This isn’t for lack of a historical foundation. The first documented soccer game in Louisiana dates back to 1859, predating the era of radio and television. A police report recorded the arrest of four men for playing football on a Sunday, a violation of a law against public games in the city’s Protestant areas. Although the case was dismissed, it highlights an early connection to the sport.
Today, New Orleans is again in the spotlight as it prepares to host Super Bowl LVII, its record-equalling 11th time hosting the championship game. This reputation as a sporting hub, however, hasn’t translated to success in attracting soccer tournaments.
World Cup Snubs and a Missed Possibility
The city has never been considered a serious contender to host any of the three World Cups held in the U.S. – neither the men’s tournament in 1994 nor the women’s competitions in 1999 and 2003. Similarly,New Orleans was not included in bids for the 2022 and 2026 men’s World Cups,nor was it among the proposed host cities for the 2027 women’s tournament,which was awarded to Brazil.
A Prime Location with Little Soccer Appeal
New Orleans possesses many desirable features for international sporting events. Its airport is a short distance from the Superdome, and the stadium itself is conveniently located near tourist attractions like the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. Despite this, soccer hasn’t gained significant traction in the city.
evan Holmes, general manager of the Superdome, notes: “Take the example of someone that stays at a hotel; they usually stay half a mile from the building, two blocks from world-class restaurants, and they can do everything within a walking perimeter. Whereas you go to some of these othre markets — nothing against them — they’re spread out. Getting around in a foreign city is a lot more arduous.”
Why New Orleans Won’t Be Hosting the world Cup
While New Orleans offers an undeniably unique and vibrant atmosphere, it faces significant hurdles in hosting the FIFA World Cup.The city made the long list of potential venues for the 2026 tournament but ultimately fell short due to its iconic superdome stadium.
The Superdome,a renowned venue for American football,presents several challenges for hosting a World Cup match. Firstly, it possesses a non-retractable roof, a stipulation FIFA does not allow for its elite competition. Additionally,the Superdome’s field dimensions do not meet FIFA’s recommended size requirements. Unlike American football, which calls for a 120-yard by 53.33-yard field, FIFA prefers a slightly smaller pitch, between 115 yards in length and 74 yards wide.
Jay Cicero, President/CEO of the Super Bowl Host Commitee in New Orleans and President of the Greater New Orleans sports Foundation, explains, “The biggest issue is our stadium is indoor and the size of the field would not be right for it. Our stadium does not have a translucent roof. they didn’t allow indoor stadiums for the World Cup (for 2026)…We’d have to have a whole new stadium to do it.
Modifying the Superdome to meet FIFA’s standards would be immensely expensive and impractical. Removing and reinstalling the roof would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, while the stadium’s design isn’t ideal for outdoor events. Cicero states, “It wouldn’t make sense financially to do (the modifications to the stadium). You can’t take the roof off the Superdome.”
While New Orleans may not be ready for the World Cup, its vibrant culture, passionate sports fans, and amazing hospitality make it a desirable destination for other major sporting events.
Could New Orleans Host a Major Soccer Match?
While New Orleans is known for its vibrant culture and passionate sports fans, the city faces significant challenges in its pursuit of hosting major soccer matches, including potential World Cup games in 2031.
The Superdome, New Orleans’ iconic stadium, could potentially host rugby union matches in 2031, according to a report. However, adapting the venue for soccer presents logistical hurdles. The rugby field is longer and wider then a soccer field, requiring modifications to the seating configuration and playing surface.
Beyond the Superdome’s limitations, New Orleans lacks a strong soccer infrastructure. The city is not home to a Major League Soccer (MLS) or National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, and its media market size ranks 50th in the U.S., a key factor for MLS expansion. The closest MLS team is the Houston Dynamo FC, located over 340 miles away.
MLS expansion requires significant financial investment,including a considerable expansion fee and the construction of a soccer-specific venue. sources indicate that New Orleans has never been seriously considered for MLS expansion due to its relatively small market size and lack of existing soccer infrastructure.
While soccer enthusiasts in New Orleans may dream of hosting major matches, the reality is that overcoming these challenges would require substantial investment and a demonstrably strong local fan base.
Could New Orleans Be the Next Home for a USL Soccer Team?
While New Orleans is deeply rooted in American sporting traditions, especially with the NFL, its potential entry into the professional soccer scene remains a topic of discussion.
The USL (united Soccer League), a leading professional soccer league in the U.S., has expressed strong interest in bringing a team to the vibrant city. Justin Papadakis, USL Deputy CEO and Chief Real Estate Officer, emphasized New Orleans’s attributes as a prime market for soccer, highlighting its supportive culture and existing fan base.
Although a specific venue location hasn’t been finalized, Michael Hecht, President & CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc., revealed promising conversations and strong consideration for a potential stadium in the revitalized River District. This growth project likely hinges on securing a suitable site.
Currently, the city’s most prominent soccer team is the Jesters, competing in the National Premier Soccer League, the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid. The Jesters play at City Park, a 4,500-seat venue.
New Orleans’s rich history with major sporting events is highlighted by its resilience following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The city’s unwavering spirit and commitment to sports serve as a testament to its potential to embrace professional soccer.
New Orleans: A City Rebuilt Thru Sports
New Orleans has a long history of hosting major sporting events, but its resilience in the face of adversity is perhaps its most compelling story. After Hurricane Katrina devastated the city in 2005, sports played a crucial role in its recovery and revitalization.
“We took an image hit after Katrina. A lot of people, even years later, thought we were still underwater or that it was dangerous to be hear,” said Michael cicero, President of the New Orleans Sports Foundation. “After rebuilding our levees and water systems to keep New Orleans dry, we needed major events to be the focus of the return of our city. What sports do is bring our people together.
The reopening of the Superdome in 2006 marked a turning point. Steve Gleason’s iconic blocked punt on “Monday Night Football” became a symbol of hope and renewal. Recognizing the city’s potential,major sports organizations like the NCAA,NFL,and NBA stepped in,bringing their events to New Orleans.
“their response was ‘We want to help as long as your hotels are in order, as long as the Superdome is in order, as long as we have the ability to host a prosperous event there,’” Cicero recalled.
Since then, New Orleans has hosted numerous major sporting events, solidifying its reputation as a premier destination. Cicero believes the city is ready for another Super Bowl,stating,“We’re built to host the Super Bowl. We stack up there right along with, or even more so, than some of the largest and most populated cities across the United States.”
Here are two PAA-related questions based on the provided text:
New Orleans: A Potential Soccer City?
Q&A
**Why can’t New Orleans host the FIFA World Cup?**
The Superdome, while iconic, lacks a retractable roof and doesn’t meet FIFAS field size requirements for World Cup matches. Modifying it would be prohibitively expensive and impractical.
**Could New Orleans see a USL team in the future?**
The USL has expressed interest in bringing a team to New Orleans due to its vibrant culture and potential fan base. A stadium site in the revitalized River District is under consideration, but securing a suitable location is key.
**What’s the biggest obstacle to New Orleans becoming a major soccer city?**
Lack of a strong soccer infrastructure—no MLS or NWSL teams—and a relatively small media market size are major hurdles for attracting professional soccer to the city.
**What role did sports play in New orleans’ recovery after Hurricane Katrina?**
Hosting major sporting events like the Super bowl helped rebuild the city’s image and bring people back to New Orleans.
**Did you know?** Steve Gleason’s iconic blocked punt on “Monday Night Football” in 2006, just a year after Hurricane Katrina,symbolized New Orleans’ resilience and helped mark the city’s comeback.
New orleans’ journey to become a major player in the world of soccer might potentially be just beginning. As the city continues to grow and its sports fanbase expands, the dream of a thriving professional soccer scene may one day become a reality.
