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One of the most amazing structures ever built, the Louisiana Superdome has been home to Tulane Football since 1975.
Gleaming like a crown jewel on the skyline of New Orleans, the magnificent Louisiana Superdome has earned its place among the most significant and spectacular structures in the world. In its second quarter-century of operation, the Superdome has lived up to its billing as "A Monument to Man's Imagination." A fitting tribute to those who dreamed and persevered, the Superdome has more than satisfied the bold statement made by the State of Louisiana that New Orleans was ready to provide a stage for the world.
Both a landmark and a hallmark, the Superdome has captured the attention of millions and remains the preeminent domed facility in the world. Those who dared to build the world-class stadium, arena and convention center under one roof saw it succeed beyond expectations for all three purposes.
It all began as a dream in the mind of one man, New Orleans businessman and Tulane alum Dave Dixon. After much discussion, planning, controversy and lobbying, a constitutional amendment put before the Louisiana Legislature to build the Superdome was passed in 1966 by the largest margin ever.
Construction began in August, 1971, and the Superdome officially opened its doors on August 3, 1975.
The awesome size and inspiring beauty of the Superdome are unsurpassed, but it is this magnificent facility's versatility that sets the Superdome so far above all other stadiums and arenas.
With the conclusion of Super Bowl XXXIV last February, the Superdome has been the site of more (six) of the NFL's championships than any other stadium, and New Orleans will have served as host city more times (nine) than any other city.
The Superdome added another milestone to its annals last spring when an NCAA record 27,673 fans showed up to watch the Green Wave and arch-rival LSU do battle on the baseball diamond on April 10, 2002.
Home to Tulane University Green Wave Football, the New Orleans Saints, the NOKIA Sugar Bowl Classic, the Bayou Classic and the Gatorade Superdome Classic, the Superdome is recognized as a titan among sporting venues. But the Superdome is much more than a sports venue. Consider these "super" events - both sporting and non:
- The Superdome has been the proud home of the NOKIA Sugar Bowl Football Classic since 1975.
- The Final Four returns for the fourth time in 2003.
- Hundred of big-name entertainers have performed on the Superdome's stages, and the Rolling Stones' all-time world record crowd for an indoor concert - 87,500 in 1982 - still stands.
- The Essence Festival - which started at the Superdome in 1995 - has joined the Bayou Classic among the premiere ethnic events in the country.
- The Superdome has even had an impact on the madness of Mardi Gras, with the Krewe of Endymion Parade culminating in the Extravaganza on the floor of the Dome, perhaps the world's biggest party.
- President George Bush was nominated for re- election during the Republican National Convention in 1988.
- Pope John Paul II appeared before the Holy Year Rally in 1987 with some 80,000 in attendance, most of them schoolchildren.
- The Superdome served as the city's primary conven- tion center as New Orleans first emerged in the highly productive meeting industry. The city now consistently ranks as one of the top convention destinations in the country.
- The nine biggest crowds in college basketball history were at the Superdome.
- Each of the three NCAA Men's Final Fours hosted by the Superdome has been memorable: North Carolina freshman Michael Jordan hitting the winning jump shot (1982); Keith Smart's baseline jumper for Indiana (1987) and Chris Webber's ill-fated timeout call as Michigan lost to UNC (1993).
- Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks before 65,000 in the Superdome on the "September to Remember" card that featured five championship fights in 1978.
- Professional franchises in Superdome history include the Saints, the NBA's Jazz, the AAA baseball Pelicans, USFL Football (The Breakers), World Team Tennis (The Nets), the Women's Professional Basketball League (the Pride) and Arena Football (the Night).
While other multipurpose mega-arenas have grown to be outmoded, the Superdome has been maintained and improved. It is a state-of-the-art facility with a future as brilliant and limitless as its past.
Movable stands, giant screen television and removable turf are just a few of the features that distinguish the Superdome, the largest "people place" in the history of mankind. Thanks to SuperVision, the Superdome's revolutionary giant television screens, there is not a bad seat in the house. The color television system furnishes every fan with a bird's eye view of all the action as it happens inside the stadium. The two screens, measuring 28'7"x 36'3" each, provide spectators with a super close-up view of every event. The instant-replay feature allows spectators to savor the genius of their favorite icons, all from the comfort of their seats in the Superdome.
A concrete floor in the main arena forms the base layer upon which other surfaces are laid. Wooden courts for basketball, ice surfaces for family shows, concert stages, tons of dirt for truck and tractor pulls, and artificial turf are some of the surfaces that cover the concrete floor.
The Superdome, attracting many of the top events in the world, has realized an economic impact of $4.6 billion in its 20-plus years of operation-far exceeding all projections. It is no wonder that Dean Gerald McLindon of Louisiana State University's School of Environmental Design said: "This is the most usable public building ever designed in the history of man."
| Total Land Area: including building, garages, and grounds is 52 acres | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Convention/Meeting Rooms: 52, consisting of 4 main ballrooms, each divisible into 6 separate rooms; 28 reception rooms. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Private Box Suites: 137 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parking Capacity: 5,000 cars & 250 buses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Video System: 2 SuperVision panels, each 28'7"x 36'3" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scoreboards: 4 message/scoreboards, each 8'x 88'; 2 out-of-town scoreboards, each 4.5'x 46' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maximum Seating Capacity: football 72,675; expanded football 76,791; arena concerts 24,500; basketball 64,659; baseball 63,525; festival concerts 87,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Press Seating: 334 (football & baseball press boxes, and 11 broadcast/spotting booths) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Artificial Turf: 81,120 sq. ft., 26 panels for football; 127,520 sq. ft., 10 panels for baseball | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
