New Orleans has won its bid to host Super Bowl LVIII in 2024. This marks the 11th time Louisiana and the Crescent City will serve as host, tying with Miami for most Super Bowls by a host city.
"Hosting a Super Bowl is synonymous with New Orleans as is the legacy of my husband Tom Benson, I know he is smiling today that we get to share our great city with the world once again in 2024," said New Orleans Saints Owner Gayle Benson. "This is a great honor and well deserved for our city as New Orleans and our Gulf South region continue to prosper in so many ways."
"Bringing a Super Bowl to our city for the 11th time is a great accomplishment and a testament to our city and the entire region," said Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President and CEO Jay Cicero, who along with The New Orleans Saints, led the team who crafted the proposal. "This bid was the culmination of several months of detail, creativity, negotiation and strategy. It wouldn't be possible without the full cooperation the State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans."
New Orleans was invited by the NFL to bid on Super Bowl LVIII by making a presentation to League owners earlier today in Atlanta. Saints, led by Mrs. Benson, teamed with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation on the successful bid. New Orleans' proposal promoted the undeniable assets of one of America's most culturally diverse cities that fosters an incredible spirit for music, fun and love of major sporting events.
"I want to thank Jay and all the folks at the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation for doing such a terrific job," said Gov. John Bel Edwards. "To have the GNOSF pulling it all together and making sure we know what the opportunities are and that we're competing over and over for all of these events pays dividends for us all across the state of Louisiana. Not just for New Orleans but for all of us. Hosting the Super Bowl is a tremendous opportunity for our state. Mrs. Benson and the entire Saints organization did an outstanding job as our ambassadors, and we look forward to hosting the Super Bowl and showing the world all of the great things Louisiana has to offer."
"The economic impact is tremendous," said New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "The last Super Bowl here generated over $480 million. So we're talking a significant shot in the arm. We have proven that our destination is second to none - it is special and I believe the NFL recognizes that fact. They're not coming to New Orleans for the 11th time for no reason."
This bidding process was a team effort, which included the Saints, Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, State of Louisiana – Gov. Edwards, City of New Orleans – Mayor Cantrell and former Mayor Mitch Landrieu, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and SMG, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans & Company, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, all hotels and hospitality venues.
"The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation will take every opportunity to compete for the most recognizable sporting event in North America," said Cicero. "We are looking forward to making this game and its surrounding activities a great celebration of football and culture for people from all over the world."
The economic impact of Super Bowl LVIII will benefit the entire state as well as the greater New Orleans area. In 2013, the last Super Bowl New Orleans hosted, the event generated $480 million in economic impact and $21 million in additional state tax dollars.