The NFL has announced that New Orleans will host the Super Bowl in 2025 rather than 2024 due to a scheduling conflict stemming from the switch to a 17-game schedule.
The NFL’s decision to extend the regular season has coincided with New Orleans’ Mardi Gras schedule. Although the prospect of both events conflicting had already been raised during the bidding process, the league went ahead and decided to name the Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the host venue for Super Bowl LVIII.
However, it appears both sides have since had a change-of-heart and New Orleans will now have an extra year to prepare. Meanwhile, the slot for 2024 has been left open.
The Las Vegas Raiders have reportedly wasted no time in placing their bid to host the Super Bowl that year at Allegiant Stadium instead, per ESPN’s Mike Triplett:
New Orleans will now host the Super Bowl in 2025 instead of 2024 because of a scheduling conflict that was created by the NFL’s upcoming switch to a 17-game schedule, the league announced Wednesday.
Since the date of the Super Bowl will be pushed back a week, it will now conflict with New Orleans’ Mardi Gras schedule. That possibility was discussed by NFL, Saints and city officials during the bidding process in 2018 when New Orleans was awarded the Super Bowl for the 11th time.
No site has been selected for the 2024 Super Bowl yet. A source told ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez that the Las Vegas Raiders have expressed their interest in hosting the game to the NFL.
Reports of the NFL’s newest host city looking to take advantage hardly comes as any surprise. Their debut year at Allegiant Stadium was spoiled by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic since the league was forced to cancel both the 2020 draft and Pro Bowl. Like New Orleans, they have been awarded the 2022 Pro Bowl as compensation.
A timetable to decide on a replacement in 2024 still has yet to be determined. Should Las Vegas be passed over, they will have to place a bid for Super Bowl LX in 2026.
The Los Angeles Rams and L.A. Chargers have also ushered in a new era at SoFi Stadium and the city is now slated to host Super Bowl LVI. It will be interesting to see if the NFL decided to stick to bringing its newest cities into the fold.