Sports in New Orleans

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 also regularly hosts the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff semifinal game and the NCAA college basketball Final Four.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Football

Professional

• New Orleans Saints -- The New Orleans Saints are one of the 32 teams in the NFL. The home stadium of the Saints is the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won Super Bowl XLIV in 2010.

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

College

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave football team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I FBS college football.

Special Football Games

• Super Bowl -- More Super Bowls have been played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome than at any other sports facility: 1978, 1981, 1986, 1990, 1997, 2002 and 2013. 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.^[7]
• College Football Playoff National Championship Game -- The Mercedes-Benz Superdome will host the College Football Playoff National Championship game in 2020.
• College Football Playoff semifinal Game -- The Mercedes-Benz Superdome rotates among six sites as the host for a College Football Playoff semifinal game every three years. The Superdome hosted a semi-final game in 2015 and is scheduled to host a semi-final game on January 1 in 2018, 2021 and 2024.
• BCS National Championship Game -- The Mercedes-Benz 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 the Mercedes-Benz Superdome since 1975.
• New Orleans Bowl -- New Orleans has been home to the annual New Orleans Bowl since 2001 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
• Bayou Classic -- The Bayou Classic is an annual football game, also played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, between two historically black universities, Grambling State and Southern University.
• Pelican Bowl -- The Pelican Bowl was a 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.^[8]
• 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.^[9]
• 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

• New Orleans Pelicans -- The New Orleans Pelicans are one of the 30 teams in the NBA. The home arena of the Pelicans is the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans were formerly known as the New Orleans Hornets.

Former professional basketball teams in New Orleans include the New Orleans Jazz of the NBA (1974–1980) (which became the Utah Jazz) and the New Orleans Buccaneers of the American Basketball Association (c. 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) and New Orleans Pride of the Women's Professional Basketball League (1979–1981).

College

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave men's basketball team and Tulane Green Wave women's basketball team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I college basketball.
• New Orleans Privateers -- The New Orleans Privateers men's basketball team and New Orleans Privateers women's basketball team currently represents the University of New Orleans in NCAA Division I college basketball.
• Dillard Bleu Devils -- The Dillard Bleu Devils men's basketball team and Dillard Lady Bleu Devils women's basketball team represents Dillard University in the NAIA.
• Loyola Wolfpack -- The Loyola Wolfpack men's basketball team and Loyola Wolfpack women's basketball team represents Loyola University-New Orleans in the NAIA.
• SUNO Knights -- The SUNO Knights men's basketball team and SUNO Lady Knights women's basketball team represents Southern University at New Orleans in the NAIA.
• Xavier Gold Rush -- The Xavier Gold Rush men's basketball team and Xavier Gold Nuggets women's basketball team represents Xavier University of Louisiana in the NAIA.

Special Basketball Games

• Men's Final Four -- The Mercedes-Benz Superdome hosted the NCAA college basketball Final Four in 1982, 1987, 1993, 2003 and 2012. The Final Four will return to the Superdome in 2022.
• Women's Final Four -- The Women's Final Four has been held in New Orleans in 1991, 2004 and 2013. The New Orleans Arena hosted the Women's Final Four in 2004 and 2013. Lakefront Arena hosted the women's Final Four in 1991.
• NBA All-Star Game -- The NBA All-Star Game was held in New Orleans in 2008 and 2014 at the Smoothie King Center. The NBA All-Star Game will return to New Orleans in 2017.

Baseball

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.^[10]

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.^[10] The practice of covering the infield with a modified canvas tarpaulin on rainy days was first used in New Orleans in 1887.^[10] 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.^[10] In 1889, issuing "rain checks" for rained out games using a perforated ticket stub was invented in New Orleans by Abner Powell.^[11]

Professional

• New Orleans Baby Cakes -- The New Orleans Baby Cakes, renamed from Zephyrs after the 2016 season, are a Triple-A baseball team that plays in the Pacific Coast League (PCL). The team is affiliated with the Miami Marlins. The home stadium of the Baby Cakes is the Shrine on Airline (formerly Zephyr Field) in suburban Metairie.
• Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy -- The Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy in New Orleans is located at Wesley Barrow Stadium. It is a 650-seat baseball stadium and includes a grass tee-ball and softball field.

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

• New Orleans Pelicans -- Southern League (1887, 1889, 1898–99), Texas-Southern League (1888), (1890), Southern Association (1892–96, 1901–59), American Association (1977) ^[12]
• New Orleans Black Pelicans -- Independent Negro League (1907–08, 1938), Negro Southern League (1920, 1926, 1945), Texas–Louisiana League (Negro league) (1931), Negro American League (1951, 1954).^[12]

Former baseball teams in New Orleans include:

College

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave baseball team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I college baseball.
• New Orleans Privateers -- The New Orleans Privateers baseball team currently represents the University of New Orleans in NCAA Division I college baseball.
• Loyola Wolfpack -- The Loyola Wolfpack baseball team represents Loyola University-New Orleans in the NAIA.

Special Baseball Games

• Spring Training -- Boston Beaneaters (1884), Boston Red Sox (1925–27), Chicago Cubs/Chicago White Stockings (1870, 1907, 1911–12), Chicago White Sox (1905–06), Cincinnati Reds (1896–97, 1900), Cincinnati Red Stockings (1888), Cleveland Indians (1902–03, 1905–06, 1916–21, 1928–39), Los Angeles Dodgers (1921), New York Giants (1895), New York Yankees (1922–24), Philadelphia Athletics (1908–09), St. Louis Browns (1921)^[20][21]
• Major League Baseball Exhibitions -- 1915 - Detroit Tigers vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 1967 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Indians, 1974 - Atlanta Braves vs. Baltimore Orioles, 1976 - Houston Astros vs. Minnesota Twins, 1980 - Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees, 1981 - New York Yankees vs. New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, 1982 - New York Yankees vs. Montreal Expos, Texas Rangers, 1983 - New York Yankees vs. Montreal Expos, Toronto Blue Jays, 1984 - Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 1989 - Oakland A's vs. San Francisco Giants, 1991 - Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Oakland A's, 1993 - New York Mets vs. Oakland A's, 1994 - Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees, 1999 - Chicago Cubs vs. Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros vs New Orleans Zephyrs, 2013 - Miami Marlins vs. New Orleans Zephyrs ^{[22][23][24][25][26]}
• Triple-A All-Star Game -- The 12th annual Triple-A All-Star Game took place on July 14, 1999 at Zephyr Field in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie, Louisiana, home of the Pacific Coast League's New Orleans Zephyrs.
• Busch Challenge/Winn-Dixie Showdown -- College baseball tournament held in the Superdome from 1987–1999. LSU, Tulane and University of New Orleans played an in-state team and out-of-state teams from Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas in the annual tournament. The in-state team was Louisiana-Lafayette. The out-of-state teams were Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Cal State Fullerton, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, Houston, Lamar, Miami (FL), Mississippi State, NC State, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oral Roberts, South Alabama, Southern California, Southern Mississippi, Texas A&M, UCLA.^[27]
• Wally Pontiff Jr. Classic -- College baseball game held annually at Zephyr Field from 2004–present.^[28] The LSU Tigers baseball team plays an opponent in the game to honor former LSU Baseball player and Oakland A's draftee, Wally Pontiff Jr., who died at the age of 21 from a genetic heart disorder.^[29] In 2004, LSU won the first game of the series vs. Southeastern Louisiana, 9-3. Wally Pontiff Playground in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana is also named after the player.

Bowling

Professional

• 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.

College

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave women's bowling team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I college bowling.

Boxing

New Orleans has long been home to boxing events.

• 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.^[30]

• 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.
• The Louisiana Superdome hosted the 1978 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.
• Leonard–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.^[31]
• 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.

Fishing tournaments

• Bassmaster Classic -- The 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 -- The 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.^[32]

Golf

Professional

• Zurich Classic of New Orleans -- The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is a golf tournament held annually on the PGA Tour at the TPC of Louisiana.
• New Orleans Women's Open -- The LPGA Tour New Orleans Women's Open golf tournament was held in New Orleans in 1952, 1953 and 1954.
• Southern (Spring) Open -- The Southern (Spring) Open was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour, played only in 1922 at the New Orleans Country Club.

College

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave women's golf team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I college golf.
• New Orleans Privateers -- The New Orleans Privateers men's golf team and New Orleans Privateers women's golf team currently represents the University of New Orleans in NCAA Division I college golf.
• Loyola Wolfpack -- The Loyola Wolfpack women's golf team represents Loyola University-New Orleans in the NAIA.

High school sports

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.

• List of Louisiana high school athletic districts

Football

• 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

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 Track (opened 1837), Metairie Race Course (1838–1872), Bingaman Race Track, City Park Race Track (1905–1920), Jefferson Park Race Track (1918–1934) and Jefferson Downs (1950s–1990).^[33]

Ice hockey

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

Ironman 70.3

• Ironman 70.3 New Orleans -- The Ironman 70.3 New Orleans, also known as a Half-Ironman, is one of a series of middle-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC). The event comprises a 1.2 mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and 13.1 mile run.

Mixed martial arts

• UFC 16 -- UFC 16 took place on March 13, 1998 at the Pontchartrain Center in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner, Louisiana. It featured the first ever UFC Lightweight tournament (for fighters under 170 lb), as well as a Middleweight Championship bout, a Heavyweight and a Middleweight Superfight, and two alternate bouts in case of tournament injury.
• UFC 18 -- UFC 18 took place on January 8, 1999 at the Pontchartrain Center in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner, Louisiana. The event featured a UFC Lightweight Championship (now known as the Welterweight Championship) bout and six other bouts. UFC 18 was technically part two of what the UFC called "The Road To The Heavyweight Title", a tournament, spanning four events, held to crown the new UFC Heavyweight Champion after the title was vacated by Randy Couture.
• UFC 27 -- UFC 27 took place on September 22, 2000 at the Lakefront Arena in the New Orleans. The event featured UFC legend Dan "The Beast" Severn returning to the promotion after more than 3 years on the independent scene to face off against top heavyweight contender Pedro Rizzo. Severn was the fan favorite, but he submitted to leg kicks from "The Rock" in the first round. Also, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Maurice Smith took on the first KOTC Heavyweight Champion Bobby Hoffman. Smith won via majority decision. There were 2 preliminary fights and 6 main card fights.
• UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger (also known as UFC Fight Night 25) was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on September 17, 2011 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.^[34]

Motorsports

• NOLA Motorsports Park -- 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.

Special Auto Races

• AMA Supercross -- New Orleans has hosted AMA Supercross races in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 (2), 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2012.^[35]
• 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 2 different 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.^[36]
• Triumph Big Kahuna New Orleans -- The AMA Pro Racing Superbike Championship race was held October 5–7, 2012 at the NOLA Motorsports Park.^[37]
• 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.^[38]
• Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana -- The inaugural Verizon Indycar Series race was held on April 12, 2015 at NOLA Motorsports Park.

Offshore powerboat racing

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 Popeye's Offshore Grand Prix held annually from 1983–1991. 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 1980–90. The race team was formed by Al Copeland Sr., the founder of Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken & Biscuits Restaurants and Copeland's Restaurants.^[39] He was a six-time U.S. national champion and world champion in 1985 and 1986.

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

• 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. 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, and has hosted the annual "Throw Me Something, Rugger!" Mardi Gras Rugby tournament the weekend before Fat Tuesday since 1980.

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

Running

• Crescent City Classic -- The Crescent City Classic is a 10k race held every April.
• Crescent City Fall Classic -- The Crescent City Classic is a 5k race held every November.
• Crescent Connection Bridge Run -- The Crescent Connection Bridge Run is a 4-mile race held in June.
• Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon -- The Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon (formerly the Mardi Gras Marathon) is held in February.

Soccer

New Orleans was one of the first cities in the world where modern soccer was played. 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.^[40]

Professional

• New Orleans Jesters -- The New Orleans Jesters is a soccer team in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

Former 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).

Amateur

• ISLANO -- The International Soccer League Association New Orleans (ISLANO) is a men's semi-professional soccer league. ISLANO teams Motagua N.O. and NOLA F.C. are part of the Louisiana Soccer Association.

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.^[41]

Honduras national football 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.^[42]

Swimming and Diving

College

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave women's swimming and diving team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I swimming and diving.

Tennis

Professional

• New Orleans Grand Prix -- The New Orleans Grand Prix was a men's tennis tournament played in New Orleans from 1978–1980. The event was part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit.
• New Orleans Sun Belt Nets -- The New Orleans Sun Belt Nets were a franchise of World Team Tennis (WTT). The Nets moved to New Orleans for the 1978 season and played their home matches in the Louisiana Superdome. Following the 1978 season, the Nets announced that the team would fold.
• Virginia Slims of New Orleans -- New Orleans played host to the Virginia Slims Women's Tennis Association (WTA) tournament in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988.

College

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave men's tennis team and Tulane Green Wave women's tennis team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I college tennis.
• New Orleans Privateers -- The New Orleans Privateers men's tennis team and New Orleans Privateers women's tennis team represents the University of New Orleans in NCAA Division I college tennis.
• Loyola Wolfpack -- The Loyola Wolfpack men's tennis team and Loyola Wolfpack women's tennis team represents Loyola University-New Orleans in the NAIA.

Track and Field/Cross country

College Track and Field

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave men's track and field team and Tulane Green Wave women's track and field team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I college track and field.
• New Orleans Privateers -- The New Orleans Privateers men's track and field team and New Orleans Privateers women's track and field team represents the University of New Orleans in NCAA Division I college track and field.
• Dillard Bleu Devils -- The Dillard Bleu Devils men's track and field team and Dillard Lady Bleu Devils women's track and field team represents Dillard University in the NAIA.
• Loyola Wolfpack -- The Loyola Wolfpack men's track and field team and Loyola Wolfpack women's track and field team represents Loyola University-New Orleans in the NAIA.
• SUNO Knights -- The SUNO Knights men's track and field team and SUNO Lady Knights women's track and field team represents Southern University at New Orleans in the NAIA.
• Xavier Gold Rush -- The Xavier Gold Rush men's track and field team and Xavier Gold Nuggets women's track and field team represents Xavier University of Louisiana in the NAIA.

College Cross Country

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave men's cross country team and Tulane Green Wave women's cross country team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I college cross country.
• New Orleans Privateers -- The New Orleans Privateers men's cross country team and New Orleans Privateers women's cross country team represents the University of New Orleans in NCAA Division I college cross country.
• Dillard Bleu Devils -- The Dillard Bleu Devils men's cross country team and Dillard Lady Bleu Devils women's cross country team represents Dillard University in the NAIA.
• Loyola Wolfpack -- The Loyola Wolfpack men's cross country team and Loyola Wolfpack women's cross country team represents Loyola University-New Orleans in the NAIA.
• SUNO Knights -- The SUNO Knights men's cross country team and SUNO Lady Knights women's cross country team represents Southern University at New Orleans in the NAIA.
• Xavier Gold Rush -- The Xavier Gold Rush men's cross country team and Xavier Gold Nuggets women's cross country team represents Xavier University of Louisiana in the NAIA.

Special Track and Field Meets

1992 United States Olympic track and field trials -- The 1992 United States Olympic track and field trials were held at Tad Gormley Stadium from June 19 - June 28. It was organised by USA Track and Field and served as the national championships in track and field for the United States. The results of the event determined qualification for the United States at the 1992 Summer Olympics held in Barcelona, Spain.

Volleyball

College

• Tulane Green Wave -- The Tulane Green Wave women's volleyball team represents Tulane University in NCAA Division I. The school also has a women's beach volleyball team; the NCAA holds a single national championship in that sport for members of all three of its divisions.
• New Orleans Privateers -- The New Orleans Privateers women's volleyball team represents the University of New Orleans in NCAA Division I college volleyball.
• Dillard Lady Bleu Devils -- The Dillard Lady Bleu Devils women's volleyball team represents Dillard University in the NAIA.
• Loyola Wolfpack -- The Loyola Wolfpack women's volleyball team represents Loyola University-New Orleans in the NAIA.
• SUNO Lady Knights -- The SUNO Lady Knights women's volleyball team represents Southern University at New Orleans in the NAIA.
• Xavier Gold Nuggets -- The Xavier Gold Nuggets women's volleyball team represents Xavier University of Louisiana in the NAIA.

Special Volleyball Matches

• 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.^[43]
• WPVA New Orleans -- The WPVA Pro Beach Volleyball Tour held women's tournaments in New Orleans in 1993, 1994 and 1995.^[43]
• 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.

Yachting

Clubs

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.

Regattas

• Mardi Gras Race Week -- New Orleans Yacht Club large One Design regatta held on Lake Pontchartrain.
• Race to the Coast -- Southern Yacht Club Regatta since 1849. Oldest continuously running point to point regatta in the Western Hemisphere United States.
• Sugar Bowl Regatta -- The 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.^[44]

New Orleans Professional Sports Teams

Club	Sport	League	Founded	Venue
New Orleans Saints	American Football	National Football League	1967	Mercedes-Benz Superdome
New Orleans Baby Cakes	Baseball	Pacific Coast League	1993	Zephyr Field
New Orleans Pelicans	Basketball	National Basketball Association	2002	Smoothie King Center
New Orleans Jesters	Soccer	Premier Development League	2003	Pan American Stadium

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sports in New Orleans.

• List of sports teams in Louisiana

References