Sports in New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is home to a wide variety of sporting events. Most notable are the home games of the New Orleans Saints (NFL) and the New Orleans Pelicans (NBA), the annual Sugar Bowl, the annual Zurich Classic (PGA Tour) and horse racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course. Also, New Orleans regularly hosts the Super Bowl, the college football BCS National Championship Game, and the NCAA college basketball Final Four.

Aerial view of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and the New Orleans Arena.

Football

Professional

• New Orleans Saints -- The New Orleans Saints are one of the 32 teams in the NFL. The home stadium of the Saints is the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won Super Bowl XLIV in 2010.

• New Orleans VooDoo -- The New Orleans VooDoo are an Arena Football League (AFL) team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They play their home games in the New Orleans Arena.

• New Orleans Mojo -- The New Orleans Mojo is a women's football team in the Women's Football Alliance. They were formely known as the New Orleans Spice and New Orleans Blaze.

Former football teams in New Orleans include the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (1984) (which became the Portland Breakers), the New Orleans Night of the Arena Football League (1991–1992), the New Orleans Thunder of the Regional Football League (1999) and the New Orleans Jazz football club in the Stars Football League (2011).

College

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave football team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I FBS college football.

Special Football Games

• Super Bowl -- More Super Bowls have been played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome than at any other sports facility: 1978, 1981, 1986, 1990, 1997, and 2002 and 2013. Tulane Stadium also hosted the game in 1970, 1972, and 1975.

• BCS National Championship Game -- The Superdome rotates with three other locations as the host for the BCS National Championship Game. The Superdome hosted the BCS National Championship Game in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

• Sugar Bowl -- New Orleans has been home to the annual Sugar Bowl since 1935. Originally played at Tulane Stadium, it has been played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome since 1975.

• New Orleans Bowl -- New Orleans has been home to the annual New Orleans Bowl since 2001.

• Bayou Classic -- The Bayou Classic is an annual football game, also played in the Superdome, between two historically black universities, Grambling State and Southern University.

• ArenaBowl -- New Orleans played host to the AFL's championship game in 2007, 2008 and 2012 hosting all games in the New Orleans Arena.

Basketball

Professional

• New Orleans Pelicans -- The New Orleans Pelicans are one of the 30 teams in the NBA. The home arena of the Pelicans is the New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans were formerly known as the New Orleans Hornets.

• New Orleans Blues -- The New Orleans Blues are a team in the American Basketball Association.

Former professional basketball teams in New Orleans include the New Orleans Jazz (1974–1980) which became the Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Buccaneers (c. 1967–1970).

College

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave men's basketball team and Tulane Green Wave women's basketball team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I college basketball.

• New Orleans Privateers -- The New Orleans Privateers men's basketball team and New Orleans Privateers women's basketball team currently represents the University of New Orleans in NCAA Division I college basketball.

• Dillard Bleu Devils -- The Dillard Bleu Devils men's basketball team and Dillard Lady Bleu Devils women's basketball team represents Dillard University in the NAIA.

• Loyola Wolfpack -- The Loyola Wolfpack men's basketball team and Loyola Wolfpack women's basketball team represents Loyola University-New Orleans in the NAIA.

• SUNO Knights -- The SUNO Knights men's basketball team and SUNO Lady Knights women's basketball team represents Southern University at New Orleans in the NAIA.

• Xavier Gold Rush -- The Xavier Gold Rush men's basketball team and Xavier Gold Nuggets women's basketball team represents Xavier University of Louisiana in the NAIA.

Special Basketball Games

• Men's Final Four -- The Superdome hosted the NCAA college basketball Final Four in 1982, 1987, 1993, 2003, and 2012.

• Women's Final Four -- The Women's Final Four has been held in New Orleans in 1991, 2004 and 2013. The New Orleans Arena hosted the Women's Final Four in 2004 and 2013. Lakefront Arena hosted the women's Final Four in 1991.

• NBA All-Star Game -- The NBA All-Star Game was held in New Orleans in 2008 and again in 2014.

Baseball

Professional

• New Orleans Zephyrs -- The New Orleans Zephyrs are a Triple-A baseball team that plays in the Pacific Coast League (PCL). The team is affiliated with the Miami Marlins. The home stadium of the Zephyrs is Zephyr Field in suburban Metairie, Louisiana.

College

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave baseball team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I college baseball.

• New Orleans Privateers -- The New Orleans Privateers baseball team currently represents the University of New Orleans in NCAA Division I college baseball.

• Loyola Wolfpack -- The Loyola Wolfpack baseball team represents Loyola University-New Orleans in the NAIA.

Former baseball teams in New Orleans include the New Orleans Pelicans (1887–1959; 1977)

Special Baseball Games

• Triple-A All-Star Game -- The 12th annual Triple-A All-Star Game took place on July 14, 1999 at Zephyr Field in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie, Louisiana, home of the Pacific Coast League's New Orleans Zephyrs.

Auto racing

• Grand Prix du Mardi Gras -- In 1991, 1992, and 1995, New Orleans was home to the Grand Prix du Mardi Gras. The sports car races took place on 2 different street circuits downtown. In 1991, streets near the riverfront were used for the race course. In 1992 and 1995, a course that ran around the Superdome was used.

• NOLA Motorsports Park -- NOLA Motorsports Park is a road race track in Avondale, Louisiana, approximately twenty minutes from downtown New Orleans. The kart circuit and North Track circuits opened in 2011. The park also includes Red Creek NOLA, an offroad park that uses an additional 1,000 acres adjoining the property.

Boxing

New Orleans has long been home to boxing events.

Corbett-Sullivan prizefight

• The 1892 world heavyweight championship match between John L. Sullivan and Gentleman Jim Corbett is sometimes considered the start of the modern era of boxing. In contrast to earlier bare-knuckle fights held out of doors, the match was held using boxing gloves according to the Marquis of Queensbury rules, indoors at night in the electrically illuminated Olympic Club Arena.

• The Louisiana Superdome hosted the 1977 fight some called the Ali rematch where Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks in front of a crowd of 65,000; it was Ali's last professional win.

• Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Durán II, also known as the No Más Fight, is one of the most famous fights in boxing history. Taking place on November 25, 1980 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, United States it was the second of three bouts between the pair. It gained its famous appellation in the end of the eighth round when Durán turned away from Leonard, towards the referee and quit by saying "No más" (Spanish for "No more").

Fishing tournaments

• Bassmaster Classic -- The Bassmaster Classic is a fishing tournament that was held in the New Orleans area in 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2011.

• City Park Big Bass Rodeo -- The City Park Big Bass Rodeo is a fishing tournament founded in 1946. It is held annually in New Orleans City Park and is the country’s oldest freshwater fishing tournament.

Golf

Professional

• Zurich Classic of New Orleans -- The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is a golf tournament held annually on the PGA Tour.

College

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave women's golf team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I college basketball.

• New Orleans Privateers -- The New Orleans Privateers men's golf team and New Orleans Privateers women's golf team currently represents the University of New Orleans in NCAA Division I college golf.

• Loyola Wolfpack -- The Loyola Wolfpack women's golf team represents Loyola University-New Orleans in the NAIA.

High school sports

New Orleans has produced many championship teams at the LHSAA and national levels. Schools have earned high national rankings in football, basketball and baseball.

Horse racing

Main article: Fair Grounds Race Course

New Orleans is home to the Fair Grounds Race Course, the nation's third-oldest thoroughbred track. The most prestigious race held at the track is the Louisiana Derby, a Grade II stakes prep for the Kentucky Derby.

Ice hockey

• New Orleans Brass -- The New Orleans Brass was a former ice hockey team in New Orleans from 1997–2002.

Ironman 70.3

• Ironman 70.3 New Orleans -- The Ironman 70.3 New Orleans, also known as a Half-Ironman, is one of a series of middle-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC). The event comprises of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride and 13.1 mile run.

Mixed martial arts

• UFC 16 -- UFC 16 took place on March 13, 1998 at the Pontchartrain Center in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner, Louisiana. It featured the first ever UFC Lightweight tournament (for fighters under 170 lb), as well as a Middleweight Championship bout, a Heavyweight and a Middleweight Superfight, and two alternate bouts in case of tournament injury.

• UFC 18 -- UFC 18 took place on January 8, 1999 at the Pontchartrain Center in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner, Louisiana. The event featured a UFC Lightweight Championship (now known as the Welterweight Championship) bout and six other bouts. UFC 18 was technically part two of what the UFC called "The Road To The Heavyweight Title", a tournament, spanning four events, held to crown the new UFC Heavyweight Champion after the title was vacated by Randy Couture.

Offshore powerboat racing

Main article: Offshore powerboat racing in New Orleans

Offshore powerboat racing has had a long history in New Orleans, Louisiana. Races have been held in either Lake Pontchartrain or on the Mississippi River. The most commonly held race was the Popeye's Offshore Grand Prix held annually from 1983-1991. Other powerboat races took place in 1980, 1981, 1982, 2002, 2003 and 2008.

New Orleans was also the home port for the Popeyes Offshore race team from 1980–90. The race team was formed by Al Copeland Sr., the founder of Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken & Biscuits Restaurants and Copeland's Restaurants. He was a six-time U.S. national champion and world champion in 1985 and 1986.

Roller derby

• Big Easy Rollergirls -- The Big Easy Rollergirls is the name of a female roller derby league in New Orleans. It has approximately 60 active members.

Rugby

• New Orleans Rugby Football Club (NORFC) -- The New Orleans Rugby Football Club, founded in 1973, is a men's rugby union club serving the greater New Orleans area. NORFC competes in Division I of the South Territory of USA Rugby. NORFC has won two club rugby national championships.

• New Orleans Halfmoons -- The New Orleans Halfmoons, is a women's rugby team and member of USA Rugby. It is one of the oldest women's teams in the United States, and has hosted the annual "Throw Me Something, Rugger!" Mardi Gras Rugby tournament the weekend before Fat Tuesday since 1980. Although Hurricane Katrina scattered most of the Halfmoons' members in August 2005, the club played in exile until the summer of 2006, when it returned to New Orleans. The club has continued to rebuild since then, hosting the Mardi Gras tournament in 2007.

Running

Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon

• Crescent City Classic -- The Crescent City Classic is a 10k race held every April.

• Crescent City Fall Classic -- The Crescent City Classic is a 5k race held every November.

• Crescent Connection Bridge Run -- The Crescent Connection Bridge Run is a 4-mile race held in June.

• Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon -- The Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon (formerly the Mardi Gras Marathon) is held in February.

Soccer

Professional

• New Orleans Jesters -- The New Orleans Jesters is a soccer team in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

• FC New Orleans -- FC New Orleans is a soccer team that is a provisional member of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

Former soccer teams in New Orleans include the New Orleans Storm (1993–1999).

Swimming and Diving

College

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave women's swimming and diving team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I swimming and diving.

Tennis

College

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave men's tennis team and Tulane Green Wave women's tennis team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I college tennis.

• New Orleans Privateers -- The New Orleans Privateers men's tennis team and New Orleans Privateers women's tennis team represents the University of New Orleans in NCAA Division I college tennis.

• Loyola Wolfpack -- The Loyola Wolfpack men's tennis team and Loyola Wolfpack women's tennis team represents Loyola University-New Orleans in the NAIA.

Track and Field/Cross country

College Track and Field

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave men's track and field team and Tulane Green Wave women's track and field team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I college track and field.

• New Orleans Privateers -- The New Orleans Privateers men's track and field team and New Orleans Privateers women's track and field team represents the University of New Orleans in NCAA Division I college track and field.

• Dillard Bleu Devils -- The Dillard Bleu Devils men's track and field team and Dillard Lady Bleu Devils women's track and field team represents Dillard University in the NAIA.

• Loyola Wolfpack -- The Loyola Wolfpack men's track and field team and Loyola Wolfpack women's track and field team represents Loyola University-New Orleans in the NAIA.

• SUNO Knights -- The SUNO Knights men's track and field team and SUNO Lady Knights women's track and field team represents Southern University at New Orleans in the NAIA.

• Xavier Gold Rush -- The Xavier Gold Rush men's track and field team and Xavier Gold Nuggets women's track and field team represents Xavier University of Louisiana in the NAIA.

College Cross Country

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave men's cross country team and Tulane Green Wave women's cross country team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I college cross country.

• New Orleans Privateers -- The New Orleans Privateers men's cross country team and New Orleans Privateers women's cross country team represents the University of New Orleans in NCAA Division I college cross country.

• Dillard Bleu Devils -- The Dillard Bleu Devils men's cross country team and Dillard Lady Bleu Devils women's cross country team represents Dillard University in the NAIA.

• Loyola Wolfpack -- The Loyola Wolfpack men's cross country team and Loyola Wolfpack women's cross country team represents Loyola University-New Orleans in the NAIA.

• SUNO Knights -- The SUNO Knights men's cross country team and SUNO Lady Knights women's cross country team represents Southern University at New Orleans in the NAIA.

• Xavier Gold Rush -- The Xavier Gold Rush men's cross country team and Xavier Gold Nuggets women's cross country team represents Xavier University of Louisiana in the NAIA.

Special Track and Field Meets

1992 United States Olympic track and field trials -- The 1992 United States Olympic track and field trials were held at Tad Gormley Stadium from June 19 - June 28. It was organised by USA Track and Field and served as the national championships in track and field for the United States. The results of the event determined qualification for the United States at the 1992 Summer Olympics held in Barcelona, Spain.

Volleyball

College

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave women's volleyball team and women's sand volleyball team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I college volleyball.

• New Orleans Privateers -- The New Orleans Privateers women's volleyball team represents the University of New Orleans in NCAA Division I college volleyball.

• Dillard Lady Bleu Devils -- The Dillard Lady Bleu Devils women's volleyball team represents Dillard University in the NAIA.

• Loyola Wolfpack -- The Loyola Wolfpack women's volleyball team represents Loyola University-New Orleans in the NAIA.

• SUNO Lady Knights -- The SUNO Lady Knights women's volleyball team represents Southern University at New Orleans in the NAIA.

• Xavier Gold Nuggets -- The Xavier Gold Nuggets women's volleyball team represents Xavier University of Louisiana in the NAIA.

Special Volleyball Matches

• Women's Volleyball Final Four -- The 2002 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball final four was held at the New Orleans Arena in December 2002.

Yachting

New Orleans is also home to the New Orleans Yacht Club and Southern Yacht Club, both of which are located at West End on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Southern Yacht Club was established in 1849 and is the second oldest yacht club in the United States.

New Orleans Teams

Club	Sport	League	Founded	Venue
New Orleans Saints	American Football	National Football League	1967	Mercedes-Benz Superdome
New Orleans Rugby Football Club	Rugby Union	USA Rugby	1973	Gretna Park
New Orleans Pelicans	Basketball	National Basketball Association	1988	New Orleans Arena
New Orleans Zephyrs	Baseball	Pacific Coast League	1993	Zephyr Field
New Orleans Blaze	Women's Football	National Women's Football Association	2002	Muss Bertolino Stadium
New Orleans Jesters	Soccer	Premier Development League	2003	Pan American Stadium
Big Easy Rollergirls	Roller Derby	Women's Flat Track Derby Association	1978	Mardi Gras World
New Orleans Halfmoons	Rugby Union	USA Rugby	2005	Gretna Park

See also

• List of Louisiana sports teams