For over four decades, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome has stood as a monumental fixture in New Orleans, Louisiana, drawing crowds for a diverse array of spectacular events. From the adrenaline-pumping action of boxing matches and basketball tournaments to the roar of soccer games, the thrill of motocross, and the electric atmosphere of New Orleans Saints football, the Superdome has consistently been at the heart of entertainment. Beyond sports, this versatile venue also transforms into a stage for musical icons and hosts crucial community events. Notably, in 2005, it played a critical role as a refuge, offering vital shelter for those displaced by the devastating Hurricane Katrina.
Originally christened the Louisiana Superdome upon its inauguration in 1975, this 75,000-seat stadium has been a landmark of New Orleans for generations. In 2011, it adopted the name of the prestigious automotive manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz, solidifying its modern identity while respecting its rich history.
While the Superdome has witnessed a wide spectrum of events, featuring everyone from world-class wrestlers and international gymnasts to the high-octane excitement of National Hot Rod Association speedsters, football remains its primary draw. The New Orleans Saints consistently fill the stadium with passionate fans, renowned for creating one of the most energetic and deafening home-field advantages in the National Football League. The Superdome’s prestige is further cemented by hosting seven Super Bowls, including Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, where the Baltimore Ravens triumphed over the San Francisco 49ers in a thrilling 34-31 contest.
The Superdome’s significance in the sporting world extends to collegiate events as well, serving as the proud home for the annual Bayou Classic and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. It has also welcomed major national championships, including the College Football Championship Game and the NCAA Men’s Final Four basketball tournament, further illustrating its capacity to host premier sporting occasions.
Music has echoed through the Superdome’s vast interior as well, adding another layer to its cultural legacy. The venue has resonated with the sounds of legendary artists spanning genres, from country icons like Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash to soul queen Aretha Franklin, Southern rock from the Charlie Daniels Band and the Allman Brothers, outlaw country by Waylon Jennings, and R&B from The O’Jays, among countless others.
Irrespective of the event drawing you in, a visit to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome is an experience in itself, offering a chance to marvel at its sheer scale and architectural ingenuity. The stadium’s robust steel framework sprawls across an impressive 13 acres. Its iconic dome ascends to a height of 273 feet, boasting a diameter of 680 feet, a testament to engineering prowess that once held the title of the world’s largest fixed-dome structure.
Superdome: Quick Facts
- Project Planning Commenced: 1967
- Official Opening Date: August 3, 1975
- Address: 1500 Sugar Bowl Drive
- Football Capacity: 76,468 seats; Basketball Capacity: 55,675 seats
- Record Attendance: 75,167 attendees at WrestleMania XXX in 2014
- Field Surface: Evolved through four turf types; currently UBU-Intensity Series-S5-M Synthetic Turf
- Original Construction Cost: $134 million (equivalent to $589 million in 2016)
- Architectural Design: Curtis and Davis Associated; Edward B. Silverstein & Associates; Nolan, Norman & Nolan
