Sports in New Orleans#Baseball

{{Short description|Overview of sports in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States}}

File:CBD from Baptist Garage 20 June 2011 Superdome and NOA.JPG (left) and the Smoothie King Center (right); home of the Saints and Pelicans]]

New Orleans is home to a wide variety of sporting events. Most notable are the home games of the New Orleans Saints (NFL) and the New Orleans Pelicans (NBA), the annual Sugar Bowl, the annual Zurich Classic (PGA Tour) and horse racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course.

New Orleans has also hosted the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff semifinal game and the NCAA college basketball Final Four.{{Cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ycn-7247486 |title=The definitive history of professional football in New Orleans - NFL - Yahoo! Sports |access-date=2017-01-15 |archive-date=2010-12-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206145925/http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ycn-7247486 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web| url = http://www.allstatesugarbowl.org/site33.php| title = Sugar Bowl History - Official Site of the Allstate Sugar Bowl}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/history/NO/new-orleans-hornets |title=New Orleans Hornets History |access-date=2013-02-13 |archive-date=2013-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521001240/http://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/history/NO/new-orleans-hornets |url-status=dead }}{{cite web | url=http://www.sabrneworleans.com/history.html | title=History of New Orleans Baseball }}{{Cite web |url=http://zurichgolfclassic.com/our-history.php |title=Zurich Classic of New Orleans | Our History |access-date=2013-02-13 |archive-date=2013-05-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522050015/http://zurichgolfclassic.com/our-history.php |url-status=dead }}{{cite web | url=http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/about-track/history | title=Home }}

Major professional sports teams

border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=2 width=98%
bgcolor="#ADADAD"

|width="180px"|Club

|width="125px"|Sport

|width="200px"| League

|width="80px"| Founded

|width="190px"| Venue

New Orleans Saints

|American football

|National Football League

|1967

|Caesars Superdome

New Orleans Pelicans

|Basketball

|National Basketball Association

|2002

|Smoothie King Center

Other professional sports teams

border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=2 width=98%
bgcolor="#ADADAD"

|width="180px"|Club

|width="125px"|Sport

|width="200px"| League

|width="80px"| Founded

|width="190px"| Venue

New Orleans Gold

|Rugby

|Major League Rugby

|2018

|Gold Mine on Airline

New Orleans Hurricanes

|Women's American football

|Women's Football Alliance

|2019

|Joe W. Brown Victory Stadium

New Orleans Jesters

|Soccer

|National Premier Soccer League

|2003

|Pan American Stadium

File:New Orleans Saints logo.svg|New Orleans Saints, Image is the logo for the professional NFL football team based in New Orleans

File:Florida St Seminoles vs LSU Tigers, Superdome, 4 Sept 2022 (1).jpg|Interior of the Caesars Superdome, Home of the New Orleans Saints

File:Drew Brees Saints 2008.jpg|Former New Orleans Saints quarterback, Drew Brees

File:2019 SAINTS DEFENSE.jpg|The New Orleans Saints take on the Dallas Cowboys

File:New orleans pelicans-wordmark.png|New Orleans Pelicans, Image is the wordmark for the professional NBA basketball team based in New Orleans

File:Nose Bleeds - Inside the Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, April 2025.jpg|Interior of the Smoothie King Center, Home of the New Orleans Pelicans

File:Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram (49487799403).jpg|New Orleans Pelicans players Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram

File:New Orleans Pelicans huddle.jpg|New Orleans Pelicans huddle pregame before taking on the Memphis Grizzlies on January 31, 2020

File:Zephyr Field - Grandstand.jpg|Gold Mine on Airline, Home of the New Orleans Gold, Major League Rugby team

File:Pan American Stadium (New Orleans, LA) Main Entrance.jpg|Pan American Stadium, Home of the New Orleans Jesters, National Premier Soccer League team

File:Jazzfest07FairgroundGrandstand55 (cropped).jpg|Fair Grounds Race Course

File:TPC Louisiana clubhouse - Rear, close view.jpg|TPC Louisiana clubhouse

Football

=Professional=

File:Superdome from Garage.jpg]]

Former football teams in New Orleans include the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (1984) (which became the Portland Breakers), New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (2022–2023), New Orleans Night of the Arena Football League (1991–1992), the New Orleans Thunder of the Regional Football League (1999), the Louisiana Jazz of the Women's Football Alliance (2002–2014), the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League (2004–2005, 2007–2008, and 2010–2015), the New Orleans Jazz football club of the Stars Football League (2011) and New Orleans Krewe of the US Women's Football League (2016).

=Collegiate=

Former college football teams in New Orleans include the Dillard Bleu Devils (1935–1965), the Loyola Wolf Pack (1921–1939) and the Xavier Gold Rush (1925–1960).

=Special Football Games=

File:TulaneStadiumFront1.jpg was New Orleans' main venue for big games before the construction of the Louisiana Superdome (1979 photo)]]

  • Super Bowl -- More Super Bowls have been played at Caesars Superdome than at any other sports facility: 1978, 1981, 1986, 1990, 1997, 2002, 2013, and 2025. Tulane Stadium also hosted the game in 1970, 1972, and 1975.
  • 1976 Pro Bowl -- The 1976 Pro Bowl was the NFL's 26th annual all-star game. The game was played on Monday, January 26, 1976, at the Louisiana Superdome.{{cite web|title=1976 Pro Bowl game book |url= http://www.nflgsis.com/1975/Post/04/55145/Gamebook.pdf |work=NFL Game Statistics & Information |publisher=National Football League |access-date=January 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202141522/http://www.nflgsis.com/1975/Post/04/55145/Gamebook.pdf |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |url-status=live}}
  • College Football Playoff National Championship Game -- Caesars Superdome hosted the College Football Playoff National Championship game in 2020.
  • College Football Playoff semifinal Game -- Caesars Superdome rotates among six sites as the host for a College Football Playoff semifinal game every three years. The Superdome hosted semi-final games in 2015 and 2018 and is scheduled to host semi-final games in 2021 and 2024.
  • BCS National Championship Game -- Caesars Superdome rotated with three other sites as the host for the BCS National Championship Game. The Superdome hosted the BCS National Championship Game in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012.
  • Sugar Bowl -- New Orleans has been home to the annual Sugar Bowl since 1935. Originally played at Tulane Stadium, it has been played in Caesars Superdome since 1975.
  • New Orleans Bowl -- New Orleans has been home to the annual New Orleans Bowl since 2001 in Caesars Superdome.
  • Bayou Classic -- The Bayou Classic is an annual football game, also played in Caesars Superdome, between the state's two largest historically black universities, Grambling State and Southern University.
  • Pelican Bowl -- The Pelican Bowl was an NCAA Division II bowl game played in New Orleans in 1974 and 1975 that pitted the conference champions from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) to determine the black college football national championship.At the time of the bowl's creation in 1972, the NCAA was divided into the "University Division" and "College Division". The current three-division setup was established in 1973. The conferences that participated in this game eventually became Division I conferences, and their members' football programs now compete in the Football Championship Subdivision.
  • East–West Shrine Game -- The 18th annual East–West Shrine post-season college football all-star game was held in New Orleans on January 1, 1943, due to WWII travel restrictions on the West Coast.{{cite web |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/bowls/bowl_results.php?bowlid=91 |title=East-West Shrine Classic Games |access-date=2008-12-07 |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |archive-date=2013-11-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101224159/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/bowls/bowl_results.php?bowlid=91 |url-status=dead }}
  • ArenaBowl -- New Orleans played host to the AFL's championship game in 2007, 2008 and 2012 hosting all games in the New Orleans Arena.

Basketball

=Professional=

Former professional basketball teams in New Orleans include the New Orleans Jazz of the NBA (1974–1979) (which became the Utah Jazz) and the New Orleans Buccaneers of the American Basketball Association (1967–1970) (which became the Memphis Pros). Other professional basketball teams include the New Orleans Hurricanes of the Professional Basketball League of America (1947), New Orleans Sports of the Southern Basketball League (1948–1949), New Orleans Pride of the Women's Professional Basketball League (1979–1981) and New Orleans Cougars of the American Basketball Association. The NBA's Atlanta Hawks played 12 special "home" games in New Orleans during the 1984–85 season.

=Collegiate=

File:Brandon Davis Free Throw.jpg

=Special Basketball Games=

Baseball

File:Pelican_Stadium_1921_batter.jpg, aka Heinemann Park, in 1921]]

Baseball was first played in New Orleans as early as 1859. In that year, amateur baseball leagues played games on the grounds of Delachaise Estates in Uptown New Orleans and the Lone Star Base Ball Club was organized.{{cite web| title=History of New Orleans Baseball|publisher=neworleansbaseball.com|url=http://www.neworleansbaseball.com/history.html|access-date=2015-02-08}}

There were many innovations in baseball that originated in New Orleans. The first spring training was held in New Orleans in 1870 as the Chicago White Stockings (now Chicago Cubs) traveled to the city to play the Cincinnati Red Stockings, but stayed several weeks to train. The practice of covering the infield with a modified canvas tarpaulin on rainy days was first used in New Orleans in 1887. On April 29, 1887, a recurring Ladies' Day was established to create an environment in the stands free of unsavory characters and conduct, as well as to make baseball a family oriented event. In 1889, issuing "rain checks" for rained out games using a perforated ticket stub was invented in New Orleans by Abner Powell.{{cite book |title=The Rise of Sports in New Orleans: 1850-1900 |first=Dale A. |last=Somers |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=byUq4knThN0C&pg=PA132&dq=%22rain%20check%22 132]}}

=Professional=

File:Zephyr Field - New Orleans, LA.jpg]]

Former baseball teams with the longest tenure in New Orleans include:

Former baseball teams in New Orleans include:

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

=Collegiate=

=Youth=

=Special baseball games=

Bowling

=Professional=

{{main|Professional bowling tournaments in New Orleans}}

  • Professional Bowling tournaments -- New Orleans played host to PBA Tour events in 1963, 1964, 1966–1978 and 1988–1990. A PBA Tour sponsored exhibition tournament took place in 2009 and 2010.

=Collegiate=

Boxing

New Orleans has long been home to boxing events.

=Professional=

  • On May 10, 1870, in the New Orleans suburb of Kennerville, "Gypsy" Jem Mace defeated Tom Allen for what is claimed to be the 1870 heavyweight championship of the bare-knuckle boxing era. This fight is considered by some boxing historians to be the first world heavyweight championship bout. A monument in present-day Kenner, Louisiana marks the spot of the fight near the Mississippi River.[http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/mace-j.htm Cyber Boxing Zone – Jem Mace]. Retrieved on 8 November 2009.

File:OlympicClubTimesDemocratHeadline.JPG]]

  • The 1892 world heavyweight championship match between John L. Sullivan and Gentleman Jim Corbett is sometimes considered the start of the modern era of boxing. In contrast to earlier bare-knuckle fights held out of doors, the match was held using boxing gloves according to the Marquis of Queensbury rules, indoors at night in the electrically illuminated Olympic Club Arena - called "the epicenter of professional boxing" in the mid-1880s-late 1890s era.{{cite web | url=https://www.octaviabooks.com/book/9781476674452 | title=The Olympic Club of New Orleans: Epicenter of Professional Boxing, 1883-1897 (Paperback) }}
  • The Coliseum Arena hosted boxing matches from 1922 until 1959 with the arena closing in 1960.{{cite web|url=https://fightstat.com/location/coliseum-arena-new-orleans-louisiana-usa.html|title=Fights at Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA|publisher=fightstat.com|access-date=August 27, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://southeasternarchitecture.blogspot.com/2015/01/still-standing.html|title=The Coliseum|date=20 January 2015 |publisher=southeasternarchitecture.blogspot.com (Tulane University's Southeastern Architectural Archive)|access-date=August 27, 2019}} Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney, Joe Brown, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Pastrano and Ralph Dupas are some of the boxers that fought at the arena.{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/gambit/new_orleans/news/blake_pontchartrain/article_df828b17-f5b5-5192-a99f-53cc0a59b080.html|title=What can you tell me about The Coliseum in the Garden District/Irish Channel?|date=4 May 2015 |publisher=The Advocate/Gambit|access-date=August 27, 2019}}
  • On August 24, 1956, Joe Brown defeated Wallace 'Bud' Smith at the Municipal Auditorium in a fifteen-round split decision to win the lightweight championship of the world.{{cite web|url=https://64parishes.org/entry/joe-brown|title=Joe Brown|publisher=64parishes.org|access-date=February 16, 2020}}
  • The Louisiana Superdome hosted the 1978 Leon Spinks vs. Muhammad Ali II fight some called "The Ali rematch" where Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks in front of a crowd of 65,000; it was Ali's last professional win.
  • Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Durán II, also known as the No Más Fight, is one of the most famous fights in boxing history. Taking place on November 25, 1980, at the Louisiana Superdome, it was the second of three bouts between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Durán. In the match, Leonard defeated Duran to regain the WBC Welterweight Championship. The match gained its famous appellation in the end of the eighth round when Durán turned away from Leonard, towards the referee and quit by saying "No más" (Spanish for "No more").
  • The Carnival of Champions was held on December 3, 1982, at the Louisiana Superdome. In the first of two co-main events, Wilfredo Gómez would defend his WBC world Jr Featherweight championship against WBC's world Bantamweight champion Lupe Pintor. In the second, Wilfred Benítez defended his WBC world Jr Middleweight championship against the former WBA Welterweight champion of the world Thomas Hearns.[http://boxrec.com/location.php?country_code=US®ion_name=LA&towncity_name=&towncity_id=19136&venue_name=&venue_id=34822&yyyy=&submit=Go BoxRec Boxing Records]. Boxrec.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-29.
  • On September 9, 2000, the New Orleans Arena hosted a light heavyweight title fight between Roy Jones Jr. and Eric Harding. Jones won by TKO in the 10th round.

=Collegiate=

Former college boxing teams in New Orleans include the Loyola Wolf Pack.

Cross country

=Collegiate=

Golf

=Professional=

=Collegiate=

Gymnastics

  • The USSR National Gymnastics team performed at the Louisiana Superdome in 1976. The event featured Olga Korbut, Nelli Kim, Nicolai Andrianov and Alexander Dityatin.
  • The 1995 U.S. Gymnastics National Championships were held at the Louisiana Superdome.{{Cite web|url=http://usagym.org/PDFs/Results/nationals_artistic_1995.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918074115/https://usagym.org/PDFs/Results/nationals_artistic_1995.pdf|title=1995 Coca-cola National Champignonship|archivedate=September 18, 2018|website=usagym.org}}{{Cite web|url=https://usagym.org/pages/athletes/archivedbios/m/dmoceanu.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213033946/https://usagym.org/pages/athletes/archivedbios/m/dmoceanu.pdf|title=Dominique Moceanu|archivedate=December 13, 2022|website=usagym.org}}
  • The AAU Junior Olympics gymnastics competition was held in the Louisiana Superdome in 1996.{{Cite web|url=http://www.aauresults.org/jogames/pdf/1996/19961243447630.pdf|title=Gymnastics|publisher=aauresults.org|access-date=2018-06-20}}
  • The 2019 SEC gymnastics championship will be held at the Smoothie King Center.{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2018/03/sec_gymnastics_new_orleans.html|title=New Orleans to host SEC gymnastics championships in 2019|date=22 March 2018 |publisher=nola.com|access-date=2018-03-24}}

High school sports

{{see also|List of Louisiana high school athletic districts}}

New Orleans has produced many championship teams at the LHSAA and national levels. Schools have earned high national rankings in football, basketball, baseball and soccer.

The annual Louisiana Prep Classic state championship football games organized by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association have been held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome since 1981.

Horse racing

File:First race at the Fair Grounds Race Course New Orleans.png in 1839]]

{{main|Fair Grounds Race Course}}

New Orleans is home to the Fair Grounds Race Course, the nation's third-oldest thoroughbred track. The most prestigious race held at the track is the Louisiana Derby, a Grade II stakes prep for the Kentucky Derby. The race course opened in 1852 as the Union Racetrack and later became the Creole Racetrack.

Former horse racing tracks in the New Orleans area include Eclipse Race Course (opened 1837), Metairie Course (1838–1872), Bingaman Race Track, City Park Race Track (1905–1920), Jefferson Park Race Track (1918–1934) and Jefferson Downs Racetrack (1959–1992).{{cite web| title=NOLA History: Horse Racing in the Crescent City|date=24 November 2011 |publisher=gonola.com|url=http://www.gonola.com/2011/11/24/nola-history-horse-racing-in-the-crescent-city.html|access-date=2014-01-26}}

Ice hockey

=Professional=

  • New Orleans Brass -- The New Orleans Brass was a former ice hockey team in New Orleans from 1997 to 2002.

Ironman 70.3

Lacrosse

The Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Lacrosse Series was held at Pan American Stadium from 2011 to 2015.{{cite web|title=Behind the Scenes: Allstate Sugar Bowl Lacrosse Classic|url=http://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/behind-the-scenes-allstate-sugar-bowl-lacrosse-classic/12571|publisher=insidelacrosse.com|date=2018-03-18|access-date=2018-03-18}}{{cite web|title=St. Thomas More Earns Fifth Annual Allstate Sugar Bowl Lacrosse Classic Title park|url=https://allstatesugarbowl.org/st-thomas-more-earns-fifth-annual-allstate-sugar-bowl-lacrosse-classic-title/|publisher=allstatesugarbowl.org|access-date=2018-03-18}}{{cite web|title=Texas and Ole Miss Win at Allstate Sugar Bowl Lacrosse Classic park|url=https://allstatesugarbowl.org/texas-and-ole-miss-win-at-allstate-sugar-bowl-lacrosse-classic/|publisher=allstatesugarbowl.org|access-date=2018-03-18}}{{cite web|title=Allstate Sugar Bowl Lacrosse Series Caps Strong Weekend park|url=https://allstatesugarbowl.org/allstate-sugar-bowl-lacrosse-series-caps-strong-weekend/|publisher=allstatesugarbowl.org|access-date=2018-03-18}}{{cite web|title=Collegiate Lacrosse Event Hosted by the Allstate Sugar Bowl park|url=https://allstatesugarbowl.org/collegiate-lacrosse-event-hosted-by-the-allstate-sugar-bowl/|publisher=allstatesugarbowl.org|access-date=2018-03-18}}{{cite web|title=South Carolina Captures Allstate Sugar Bowl Lacrosse Title park|url=https://allstatesugarbowl.org/south-carolina-captures-allstate-sugar-bowl-lacrosse-title/|publisher=allstatesugarbowl.org|access-date=2018-03-18}}

The Allstate Sugar Bowl High School Lacrosse Classic first held in 2007 has been played at multiple locations in the New Orleans metropolitan area such as City Park, Lafreniere Park, LaSalle Park and Pan American Stadium.{{cite web|title=Allstate Sugar Bowl High School Lacrosse Classic|url=https://allstatesugarbowl.org/sports/lacrosse/|publisher=allstatesugarbowl.org|access-date=2018-03-18}}{{cite web|title=Two Lacrosse Events to be hosted by the Allstate Sugar Bowl: High School Classic Scheduled for Jan. 25-26 at Lafreniere Park|url=http://www.neworleansonline.com/pr/releases/releases/Allstate%20Sugar%20Bowl%20Announces%20Lacrosse%20Events.pdf|publisher=neworleansonline.com|access-date=2018-03-18}}{{cite web|title=Allstate Sugar Bowl lacrosse series scheduled for Feb. 15-17|url=http://highschoolsports.nola.com/news/article/7864219325789761799/allstate-sugar-bowl-lacrosse-series-scheduled-for-feb-15-17/|publisher=nola.com|access-date=2018-03-18}}

  • 2007: LaSalle Park{{cite web|title=Allstate Sugar Bowl lacrosse series scheduled for Feb. 15-17|url=https://allstatesugarbowl.org/klein-high-school-wins-inaugural-allstate-sugar-bowl-lacrosse-classic/|publisher=allstatesugarbowl.org|access-date=2018-03-18}}
  • 2008: LaSalle Park{{cite web|title=Klein Defends Title in Second Annual Allstate Sugar Bowl Lacrosse Classic park|url=https://allstatesugarbowl.org/klein-defends-title-in-second-annual-allstate-sugar-bowl-lacrosse-classic/|publisher=allstatesugarbowl.org|access-date=2018-03-18}}
  • 2009: City Park{{cite web|title=Klein High School Wins Third Straight Allstate Sugar Bowl Lacrosse Classic park|url=https://allstatesugarbowl.org/klein-high-school-wins-third-straight-allstate-sugar-bowl-lacrosse-classic/|publisher=allstatesugarbowl.org|access-date=2018-03-18}}
  • 2010: Lafreniere Park{{cite web|title=Klein High School Remains Perfect to Claim its Fourth Allstate Sugar Bowl Lacrosse Classic Title park|url=https://allstatesugarbowl.org/klein-high-school-remains-perfect-to-claim-its-fourth-allstate-sugar-bowl-lacrosse-classic-title/|publisher=allstatesugarbowl.org|access-date=2018-03-18}}
  • 2011: Lafreniere Park
  • 2012: Lafreniere Park{{cite web|title=Klein High School Retakes Crown at Allstate Sugar Bowl Lacrosse Classic park|url=https://allstatesugarbowl.org/klein-high-school-retakes-crown-at-allstate-sugar-bowl-lacrosse-classic/|publisher=allstatesugarbowl.org|access-date=2018-03-18}}
  • 2014: Lafreniere Park{{cite web|title=Jesuit High School Takes Varsity Title at Allstate Sugar Bowl Lacrosse Classic park|url=https://allstatesugarbowl.org/jesuit-high-school-takes-varsity-title-at-allstate-sugar-bowl-lacrosse-classic/|publisher=allstatesugarbowl.org|access-date=2018-03-18|archive-date=2017-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231212146/https://allstatesugarbowl.org/jesuit-high-school-takes-varsity-title-at-allstate-sugar-bowl-lacrosse-classic/|url-status=dead}}

Mixed martial arts

Motorsports

File:NOLA Motorsports Park IndyCar Series.png]]

The NOLA Motorsports Park is a road race track in Avondale, Louisiana, approximately twenty minutes from downtown New Orleans. The north track circuit and kart circuit opened in 2011.

New Orleans has hosted several auto races:

  • AMA Supercross—New Orleans has hosted AMA Supercross races in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in 1977–1980, 1998–2002, 2009, and 2012.{{cite web|url=http://sportsnola.com/sports/local-sports-news/motor-sports-news/583627-monster-energy-supercross-notes-package-new-orleans.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502185216/http://www.sportsnola.com/sports/local-sports-news/motor-sports-news/583627-monster-energy-supercross-notes-package-new-orleans.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 2, 2012 |title= Monster Energy Supercross Notes Package - New Orleans|publisher=sportsnola.com/ |date=April 8, 2012 |access-date=2013-09-12}}
  • Grand Prix du Mardi Gras—In 1991, 1992, and 1995, New Orleans was home to the Grand Prix du Mardi Gras. The IMSA sports car races took place on two street circuits downtown. In 1991, streets near the riverfront were used for the race course. In 1992 and 1995, a course that ran around the Superdome was used.{{cite web | url=http://www.na-motorsports.com/Tracks/LA/NewOrleans.html | title=New Orleans }}
  • Triumph Big Kahuna New Orleans—The AMA Pro Racing Superbike Championship race was held October 5–7, 2012 at the NOLA Motorsports Park.{{cite web|url=http://www.amaproracing.com/rr/events/results.cfm?year=2012&eid=2012011260 |title= 2012 Session Results Round 12 Triumph Big Kahuna New Orleans presented by Dunlop|publisher=amaproracing.com |date=2012-10-08 |access-date=2013-06-09}}
  • Cooper Tires WinterFest—The U.S. F2000 Winterfest race featuring Indy Lights, Pro Formula Mazda and F2000 cars was held February 21–22, 2014 at the NOLA Motorsports Park.{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/05/indycar_commits_to_new_orleans.html|title=IndyCar commits to New Orleans race at NOLA Motorsports Park in 2015|publisher=The Times-Picayune/nola.com|date=2014-05-04 |access-date=2014-05-27}}
  • Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana—The inaugural IndyCar Series race was held on April 12, 2015, at NOLA Motorsports Park.

Professional bull riding

Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR), a professional bull riding organization held competitions in the New Orleans Arena in 2000–2003, 2007 and 2010.

Roller derby

  • Big Easy Rollergirls -- The Big Easy Rollergirls is the name of a female roller derby league in New Orleans. The league plays at the Human Performance Center.
  • New Orleans Brass Roller Derby -- New Orleans Brass Roller Derby is the name of a male roller derby team in New Orleans.

Rugby

=Professional=

  • New Orleans Gold -- The New Orleans Gold, founded in 2017, competes in Major League Rugby.{{cite web|title=New Orleans Confirms Major League Rugby Plans|publisher=This is American Rugby|url=http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2017/05/new-orleans-confirms-major-league-rugby.html|access-date=2017-05-25|archive-date=2018-02-05|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180205133527/http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2017/05/new-orleans-confirms-major-league-rugby.html|url-status=dead}}

=Amateur/Semi-Pro=

  • New Orleans Rugby Football Club (NORFC) -- The New Orleans Rugby Football Club, founded in 1973, is a men's rugby union club serving the greater New Orleans area. NORFC competes in Division I of the Deep South Rugby Football Union of USA Rugby.{{cite web| title=USA Club Rugby: Geographical Unions|publisher=usarugby.org/|url=http://usarugby.org/geographical-unions|access-date=2014-03-04}} NORFC has won two club rugby national championships.
  • New Orleans Halfmoons -- The New Orleans Halfmoons is a women's rugby team and member of USA Rugby. It is one of the oldest women's teams in the United States,{{cite web| title=Halfmoons History|date=22 August 2012 |publisher=neworleanswomensrugby.org|url=https://neworleanswomensrugby.org/about/|access-date=2018-01-27}} and has hosted the annual "Throw Me Something, Rugger!" Mardi Gras Rugby tournament the weekend before Fat Tuesday since 1980. The team practices at the City Park Practice Track.{{cite web|url=https://neworleanswomensrugby.org/|title=Practice Facility|publisher=neworleanswomensrugby.org|access-date=2018-02-06}}

Former rugby clubs in New Orleans include the Crescent City Rugby Football Club (1976–1979).

Running

File:Mardi Gras Marathon Race Start.jpg]]

Soccer

New Orleans was one of the first cities in the world where modern soccer was played.{{cite book|last=Crawford|first=Scott|title=A History of Soccer in Louisiana: 1858-2013|year=2013|publisher=LAprepSoccer Publishing Co.|location=New Orleans|isbn=978-1489521880}} Beginning in 1858 as a community sport, the sport became popular among many athletic clubs in the late 19th century. A semi-professional league consisting of some of the best players in the world, several of whom later played for first division teams in England and Scotland, briefly used the old grounds on what would become Pelican Stadium.

=Professional=

Former professional soccer teams in New Orleans include the New Orleans Storm of the USL A-League (1993–1999) and FC New Orleans of the National Premier Soccer League as a provisional member (2012).{{citation | url = http://www.nola.com/soccer/index.ssf/2012/06/fc_new_orleans_gives_city_another_soccer_team_league.html | publisher = Times-Picayune | title = FC New Orleans gives city another soccer team, league | date = 2012-06-13 | access-date = 2012-12-21}}

=Amateur/Semi-Pro=

Leagues

Teams

Former amateur/semi-pro soccer teams in New Orleans include the Louisiana Fire of the Gulf Coast Premier League (2016–2017).

=Special Soccer Games=

Chicago Fire Soccer Club vs. Real C.D. España -- An international friendly match between Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire Soccer Club and Honduran soccer club Real C.D. España was played at Tad Gormley Stadium on February 4, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2011/12/9/2623826/the-fire-have-scheduled-a-friendly-february-4th-against-honduran-club#comments|title=The Fire have scheduled a friendly February 4th against Honduran club Real Espana in Louisiana. ...|date=9 December 2011|work=Hot Time In Old Town|access-date=24 October 2014}}

New England Revolution vs. C.D. Olimpia -- An international friendly match between Major League Soccer's New England Revolution and Honduran soccer club C.D. Olimpia was played at Tad Gormley Stadium on March 25, 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.nola.com/gambit/events/stage_previews_reviews/article_c18b630b-9e45-5e60-859a-953e1ca23b81.html|title=New England Revolution vs. Olimpia, Honduras|date=March 19, 2007|work=nola.com/gambit|access-date=March 11, 2020}}

Honduras national team vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies -- On March 28, 1982, in a World Cup tune-up match, the Honduras national football team played the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League to a 1–1 draw at Tad Gormley Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19820326&id=octaAAAAIBAJ&pg=5972,2855693&hl=en|title=Rowdies waive two; midfield help coming|date=26 March 1982|work=Evening Independent|access-date=22 July 2015}}

Swimming and diving

=Collegiate=

Tennis

=Professional=

=Collegiate=

=Special Tennis Matches=

Track and Field

=Collegiate=

=Special Track and Field Meets=

Volleyball

=Collegiate=

=Special Volleyball Matches=

==Beach volleyball==

  • AVP New Orleans Open—The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour held the men's and women's New Orleans Open in 2015 and 2016. The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour held the men's New Orleans Open in 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1999.{{cite web| title=Pro beach volleyball tournament in Kenner |publisher=theneworleansadvocate.com|url=http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com/news/12435490-172/as-pro-beach-volleyball-tournament|access-date=2015-06-08}}
  • WPVA New Orleans—The WPVA Pro Beach Volleyball Tour held women's tournaments in New Orleans in 1993, 1994 and 1995.

==Indoor volleyball==

  • Women's Volleyball Final Four—The 2002 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball final four was held at the New Orleans Arena in December 2002.

Water sports

=Fishing tournaments=

  • Bassmaster Classic — is a fishing tournament that was held in the New Orleans area in 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2011.
  • City Park Big Bass Fishing Rodeo — is a fishing tournament founded in 1946. It is held annually in New Orleans' City Park and is the country's oldest freshwater fishing tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.neworleanscitypark.com/big-bass-fishing-rodeo-and-fishtival/history|title=Big Bass History|publisher=neworleanscitypark.com|date=October 20, 2012 |access-date=2013-09-17}}

=Powerboat racing=

{{main|Offshore powerboat racing in New Orleans}}

Offshore powerboat racing has had a long history in New Orleans, Louisiana. Races have been held in either Lake Pontchartrain or on the Mississippi River. The most commonly held race was the Popeyes Offshore Grand Prix held annually from 1983 to 1991. Other powerboat races took place in 1980, 1981, 1982, 2002, 2003 and 2008.

New Orleans was also the home port for the Popeyes Offshore race team from 1980 to 1990. The race team was formed by Al Copeland Sr., the founder of Popeyes Fried Chicken Restaurants and Copeland's Restaurants.{{Cite web| title=The History of Al Copeland Jr. and Phenomenon | url=http://www.copelandsphenomenon.com/about.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707015434/http://www.copelandsphenomenon.com:80/about.htm | archive-date=2010-07-07}} He was a six-time U.S. national champion and world champion in 1985 and 1986.

=Yachting=

File:New Basin Canal Lighthouse 2013 - New Orleans, Louisiana.jpg]]

New Orleans is home to the New Orleans Yacht Club and Southern Yacht Club, both of which are located at West End on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Southern Yacht Club was established in 1849 and is the second oldest yacht club in the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.icoyc.org/Default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&pageid=319845&ssid=212013&vnf=1|title=The Second Oldest Yacht Club|publisher=International Council of Yacht Clubs|date=December 18, 2012|access-date=2013-09-17|archive-date=2013-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819134641/http://www.icoyc.org/Default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&pageid=319845&ssid=212013&vnf=1|url-status=dead}}

Regattas include:

  • Mardi Gras Race Week — New Orleans Yacht Club large One Design regatta held on Lake Pontchartrain.
  • Race to the CoastSouthern Yacht Club Regatta since 1849. Oldest continuously running point to point regatta in the Western Hemisphere United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.southernyachtclub.org/default.aspx?p=.NETEventView&ID=3851776&qfilter=&type=0&ssid=340642&chgs=|title=Race to the Coast|publisher=southernyachtclub.org|date=December 18, 2012 |access-date=2018-01-27}}
  • Sugar Bowl Regatta — has been held since 1934. The sailing competition is divided into two separate phases, over four two-day periods, beginning in late November and concluding on New Year's Eve.{{cite web|url=http://www.allstatesugarbowl.org/site.php?pageID=19&newsID=565|title= Sugar Bowl, More Than Football|publisher=Sugar Bowl |date=January 25, 2013 |access-date=2013-09-12}}

Wrestling

  • In 1996, the Louisiana Superdome hosted the AAU Junior Olympics wrestling competition.{{Cite web|url=http://www.aauresults.org/jogames/pdf/1996/19961243447882.pdf|title=Wrestling|publisher=aauresults.org|access-date=2018-06-20}}
  • The 2004 Armed Forces Wrestling Championship was held in the New Orleans area.{{Cite web|url=https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2004/March/04/2004-Armed-Forces-Championship-9431|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018132932/https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2004/March/04/2004-Armed-Forces-Championship-9431|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 18, 2021|title=2004 Armed Forces Championships to be held March 6–7 in New Orleans LA|publisher=teamusa.org|access-date=2020-03-07}}

See also

{{Commons category}}

References

{{Reflist}}

{{New Orleans}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sports In New Orleans}}