The 2025 Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia will be played less than 24 hours after its initial start time after Wednesday’s deadly attack in New Orleans caused the game to be postponed.
The Allstate Sugar Bowl officially announced Wednesday afternoon that the game will begin at 3 p.m. local time (4 p.m. ET) on Thursday. The game was initially scheduled to begin at 8:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday night, and previous reports indicated the game would be postponed by 24 hours.
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Allstate Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley issued a statement sending thoughts and prayers to all victims of the attack, while thanking those who adjusted to the new start time.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families as we work through this,” said Jeff Hundley, CEO of Allstate Sugar Bowl. “We have full faith and trust in the governor, the mayor and all federal, state and local first responders who have responded to this horrific event. Any time we have an event like the Sugar Bowl, public safety is paramount, and all parties “We agree that that could only be achieved with a postponement. We will now move forward to take care of the details to make the Sugar Bowl the first-class, fun and safe event it has been for more than 90 years.”
“On behalf of the College Football Playoff, we are devastated by this morning’s attack and our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy,” said Rich Clark, executive director of the College Football Playoff. “We are grateful to the leadership of the Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, the state of Louisiana and federal authorities as we work together to ensure we can provide a safe environment for everyone. We also appreciate ESPN’s flexibility in moving the game to tomorrow afternoon. “
NOTRE DAME CALLS ON FANS TO ‘JOIN US IN PRAYER’ AFTER APPARENT TERRORIST ATTACK IN FRONT OF SUGAR BOWL
The number of victims killed in the Bourbon Street attack has risen to 15, Pak Gazette has learned.
The postponement of the match amid the attack has been a topic of online debate among fans and experts on Wednesday. Some fans agreed with the decision to postpone the match, while others expressed outrage, believing that this allows the attacker to “win.”
The postponement follows reports that the Superdome, the home of the New Orleans Saints, was initially closed for security checks and that people with offices inside the stadium were told not to enter the venue until further notice.
The Superdome is located just a mile away from the site of Wednesday morning’s deadly attack.
Georgia and Notre Dame arrived in New Orleans on Sunday and were reportedly staying in hotels a few blocks from the crime scene. Both schools have reportedly implemented a “shelter in place” for teams.
Several airlines issued travel advisories to your clients Wednesday about possible travel delays related to the recent Bourbon Street attack. Delta said travel at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) “may be affected” by the ongoing investigation into the attack.
“Due to the security situation in New Orleans, Louisiana, travel to, from or through the destinations listed below may be affected,” the message said, referring to MSY.
Delta said the advisory will last until January 3 from now on. Newly booked flights will be moved to Jan. 6, the company said.
Southwest issued a similar message to its customers, as did United.
“Due to the events that occurred in New Orleans during the early hours of January 1, 2025, we are offering greater flexibility to Customers who have reservations to, from or through New Orleans, LA (MSY) between January 1 and 3. January 2025.” Southwest said.
Alethea Duncan of the New Orleans FBI said during a news conference Wednesday that the FBI does not believe the main suspect in the attack, Shamsud Din Jabbar, was “solely responsible” for the act. Police have warned there could be more danger in the city.
The FBI is currently working to determine “the subject’s possible associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations,” after an ISIS flag was found on the truck. Weapons and a possible improvised explosive device were located inside the suspect’s vehicle, and other possible improvised explosive devices were also located in the French Quarter.
