Sugar Bowl Postponed After Deadly New Orleans Terrorist Attack

The French Quarter, near Bourbon Street is blocked off late morning with a heavy police and FBI presence after a Terrorist attack early in the morning in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 1, 2025. Emily Kask/AFP via Getty Images

The Sugar Bowl college football game between the University of Georgia and the University of Notre Dame has been postponed until Jan. 2, after a deadly terrorist attack struck New Orleans on New Year’s Day.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams announced the decision during an afternoon press conference.

It was later confirmed by Allstate Sugar Bowl Committee CEO Jeff Hundley, less than 12 hours after U.S. citizen Shamsud-Din Jabbar allegedly crashed a car intentionally into people on Canal and Bourbon Streets, killing at least 10 people and injuring 35.

The committee also said that they are involved in ongoing discussions with local, state, and federal authorities and will release details as they become available.

The game was later rescheduled for 4 p.m. ET on Jan. 2.

Both schools participating in the game issued statements in response to the events.

“We are deeply saddened by the senseless violence that occurred in New Orleans,” the University of Georgia Athletic Association wrote in a post on X. “All team personnel and members of the official team travel party have been accounted for.”

Williams said that all parties involved in the college football playoff game were in favor of postponing the game for 24 hours.

“Our prayers are with the family members and loved ones of all of those impacted by the terrible attack in New Orleans early this morning,” Notre Dame President Rev. Robert Dowd said in a statement.

“To be in solidarity with those who suffer is to exemplify the spirit of Notre Dame. Today, we are in solidarity with all those impacted by this tragedy.”

The Sugar Bowl is the first of several major events to take place in New Orleans over the coming weeks, most significantly the Super Bowl and the annual Mardi Gras celebration.

Lousiana Gov. Jeff Landry said during the press conference that he had intended to issue an emergency declaration on Jan. 2 in preparation for the Super Bowl, allowing federal, state, and local agencies to participate in the events.

However, due to the terrorist attack, he amended that declaration, issuing it today to allow all levels of law enforcement to bring in resources to keep the city safe. He also ordered military police mobilized.

“It is important for our citizens and guests of this state to know that we are doing everything we can to secure their safety in this city,” he said. ”We want to make it clear the Superdome and the surrounding area is safe.”