The biggest party in the NFL lives in “The Big Easy.” In New Orleans, game day often begins in the French Quarter before fans make their way to the iconic Caesars Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints since 1975. Few venues in professional sports can match the Superdome’s résumé, which includes multiple Super Bowls, major college football championships, and countless marquee events.

The vision for a domed stadium began in the mid-1960s with local businessman Dave Dixon, who believed such a facility could secure an NFL franchise for the region. On November 8, 1966, the Louisiana Legislature approved legislation to construct the stadium. Shortly thereafter, the National Football League awarded New Orleans an expansion team—the Saints. Construction began in August 1971 and was completed in August 1975. Originally named the Louisiana Superdome, the massive structure spans 13 acres and rises 27 stories, earning comparisons to a landed spacecraft on the city’s skyline.

The Saints played their first game in the Superdome on September 28, 1975, against the Cincinnati Bengals. Inside, nearly 70,000 multicolored seats were arranged in three tiers encircling the field, with alternating seat colors creating the visual illusion of a packed house. Over the decades, the stadium has undergone multiple upgrades. A $22.8 million renovation in 1996 introduced a new entrance lobby, expanded concourses, improved accessibility, refurbished ballrooms, and enhanced safety systems. Following the 2002 season, the original Astroturf surface was replaced with FieldTurf.

In August 2005, the Superdome became an emergency shelter for more than 30,000 residents during Hurricane Katrina. The storm severely damaged the roof and interior, resulting in approximately $185 million in repairs. During the 2005 season, the Saints temporarily relocated home games to the Alamodome and to Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. A massive restoration effort began in January 2006, removing thousands of tons of debris and replacing damaged materials. By September 24, 2006, the Saints triumphantly returned to the Superdome, hosting the Atlanta Falcons in an emotional reopening that symbolized the city’s resilience.

In 2009, the Saints and the State of Louisiana reached a long-term agreement to keep the franchise in the Superdome, accompanied by a $210 million renovation completed during the 2010 and 2011 off-seasons. Improvements included widened concourses, expanded concessions, reconfigured lower-bowl seating that added 3,100 seats, new luxury suites, upgraded club spaces, and enhanced dining options. Capacity increased to 76,468.

The stadium’s naming rights have evolved over time. In 2011, Mercedes-Benz secured a 10-year naming agreement. In July 2021, Caesars Entertainment acquired the rights in a 20-year deal, giving the venue its current name: Caesars Superdome.

Each year the Superdome hosts numerous other events other than Saints games. This includes conventions, concerts, the annual Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff games and NCAA Men’s Basketball. It has also hosted eight Super Bowls.