The pregame party at Champions Square will open at 5 p.m. for Thursday's New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens preseason game in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Kickoff for the game is at 7 p.m. 

The entertainment this week at Champions Square is Rebirth Brass Band. Food and beverage will be available across the Square, including five food trucks.

Take a moment to cool off at one of Champions Square's climate-controlled, indoor spaces for Saints fans. The renovations of club XLIV will be unveiled Thursday at 5 p.m. Admission to this upscale lounge is $10, which includes a single premium cocktail and entrance into a drawing to win four tickets to see Darius Rucker at Champions Square on Sept. 19. Also debuting this week is The Opening Act, a free space for fans adjacent to the Square with great food selections like sliced brisket sandwiches, "Pigskin Po-Boys" and smoked chicken wings. It's a climate-controlled environment with bars, plenty of seating and HDTVs. The Opening Act is a perfect place to celebrate in comfort before the game.

SMG New Orleans reminds all Saints fans that the additional security measures instituted by the NFL in 2013 remain in place this season. Fans should arrive early and allow for extra time to enter the stadium. Security at all entrances for both the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Champions Square will include metal-detecting wands, and the NFL's clear bag policy will be enforced. All gates for the Mercedes-Benz Superdome also open at 5 p.m.

To provide a safer environment, bags are restricted to one clear vinyl/plastic bag (12" x 12" x 6") per person, and one small clutch purse (6.5" x 4.5" maximum size). The small clutch should be approximately the size of a hand, and can be taken into the stadium with the larger clear plastic bag, or separately. The policy is designed to speed entry.

For more information and traffic maps, SMG encourages fans to visit the Mercedes-Benz Superdome's Saints vs. Ravens event page at: http://superdome.com/site.php?pageID=11&eID=1614