Visiting New Orleans for a Game?

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) sits in Kenner, approximately 11 miles west of downtown New Orleans, with a drive of about 20-25 minutes in normal traffic. The most affordable option into the city is the RTA Airport Express 202 bus, which runs to Elk Place at Canal Street in the CBD for $1.25. Taxis charge a flat rate of $36 for one or two passengers to the Central Business District or French Quarter, while Uber and Lyft are both active at MSY and typically run $30-45 to downtown.

The New Orleans RTA operates buses and iconic streetcars across the city, with a flat $1.25 fare per ride and multi-day Jazzy Passes ($3 for one day, $9 for three days) available via the Le Pass app; the St. Charles line is particularly useful for fans staying in the Garden District or Uptown. Caesars Superdome and Smoothie King Center are both in the CBD and walkable from most downtown hotels, making a car unnecessary for those two venues. Rideshare is widely available throughout the city, though surge pricing kicks in hard after Saints and Pelicans games, so have a backup plan or be prepared to walk a few blocks before requesting a ride.

The CBD is the prime base for sports fans: you are within easy walking distance of both Caesars Superdome and Smoothie King Center, and hotels like the Hyatt Regency (attached to the Superdome complex) and Loews New Orleans put you steps from game day action, with rates typically running $150-$300 per night on non-event nights and spiking well above $400 during Saints home games or Mardi Gras. The Warehouse District, immediately south of the CBD, offers boutique hotels and a strong bar and restaurant scene at slightly lower prices, making it a solid alternative. The French Quarter is lively and central but hotels tend to be pricier and noisier, so it suits fans who want to lean into the post-game party scene. Budget-conscious travelers can find more reasonable rates ($100-$180) in Mid-City or Uptown, with the St. Charles streetcar providing a reliable connection back to the venue corridor.

New Orleans is one of the most football-obsessed cities in America: Saints fans are famously loud and passionate, the Superdome atmosphere for big games is electric, and the tailgate culture around the stadium and on nearby Poydras Street starts hours before kickoff. The Pelicans play a short walk from the Superdome at Smoothie King Center, making it realistic to catch an NBA game any night of the week when both teams are in town. Tulane's Yulman Stadium, located on the uptown campus, adds a college football dimension to the fall calendar, with Green Wave games offering a more intimate, affordable alternative. Beyond game day, New Orleans is arguably the best food-and-music sports city in the country: virtually every post-game bar crawl on Bourbon Street, Frenchmen Street in the Marigny, or Magazine Street in the Garden District is an experience in itself.