The 2025 Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia will be played less than 24 hours later than the original start time after Wednesday deadly attack in New Orleans led to the postponement of the game.
Allstate Sugar bowl officially announced Wednesday afternoon that the game will begin Thursday at 3 p.m. local time (4 p.m. ET). The game was originally scheduled to start at 8:45 PM ET on Wednesday night, and earlier reports indicated that the game would be delayed by 24 hours.
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Allstate Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley released a statement sending thoughts and prayers to all victims of the attack, while thanking those who accepted the new start time.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families as we work through this,” said Jeff Hundley, chief executive officer of the Allstate Sugar Bowl. “We have full faith and trust in the governor and the mayor and all of the federal, state and local emergency services that have been called in for this horrific event. Whenever we have an event like the Sugar Bowl, public safety is paramount, and all parties involved agree that it can be can only be achieved with a delay. We will now take care of the details to make the Sugar Bowl the first class, fun and safe event it has been for more than 90 years.”
“On behalf of the College Football Playoff, we are devastated by this morning’s attack and our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy,” said Rich Clark, executive director of the College Football Playoff. “We are grateful to the leadership of the Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, the state of Louisiana and federal authorities as we work together to ensure a safe environment for everyone. We also appreciate ESPN’s flexibility in moving the game to tomorrow afternoon.”
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The death toll in the Bourbon Street attack has risen to 15, Fox News has learned.
The postponement of the match due to the attack was the subject of online debate among fans and pundits on Wednesday. Part of the fans agreed with the decision to postpone the game, while others expressed their indignation, believing that this allowed the striker “win.”
The delay followed reports that the Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints, was initially closed for security searches and that people with offices inside the stadium were told not to enter the field until further notice.
The Superdome is just a mile from the site of Wednesday morning’s deadly attack.
Georgia and Notre Dame arrived in New Orleans on Sunday and reportedly stayed in hotels just blocks away from the crime scene. According to reports, both schools have set up a “shelter” for the teams.
Several airlines have issued travel warnings to their customers on Wednesday about possible travel delays related to the recent attack on Bourbon Street. Delta said travel at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) “could affect” the ongoing investigation into the attack.
“Due to the security situation in New Orleans, Louisiana, travel to, from or through the destinations listed below may be affected,” the message read, citing MSY.
Delta said the consultation will last until January 3. The rebooked flights will be rescheduled for January 6, the company said.
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Southwest issued a similar message to its customers, as did United.
“Due to the events that occurred in New Orleans during the early hours of January 1, 2025, we are offering increased flexibility to customers with reservations to, from, or via New Orleans, LA (MSY) between January 1 and January 3, 2025,” he said. Southwest.
Alethea Duncan of the FBI in New Orleans noted during a news conference Wednesday that the FBI does not believe the prime suspect in the attack, Shamsud Din Jabbar, is “solely responsible” for the act. The police warned that there could be further danger in the city.
The FBI is currently working to determine the subject’s “potential association and affiliation with terrorist organizations,” after an ISIS flag was found in the truck. Weapons and a potential IED were located in the suspect’s vehicle, and other potential IEDs were also located in the French Quarter.
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