🏛 Historic Stadium
Tulane Stadium stood on the campus of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, as one of the largest and most storied football venues in the American South. Opening on October 23, 1926, with a Tulane–Auburn matchup, the concrete-and-brick arena was designed by architect Emile Weil and began its life with a capacity of around 35,000. Through a series of expansions over two decades, it eventually reached a peak capacity of 80,985, placing it among the largest stadiums in the country at the time.
For nearly half a century, Tulane Stadium served as the center of New Orleans sports life. It was home to Tulane Green Wave football throughout its existence and welcomed the New Orleans Saints for the franchise’s first eight NFL seasons, from 1967 through 1974. The venue hosted 41 Sugar Bowl games beginning in 1935 and earned a place in Super Bowl history by staging three of the first nine championship games. When the Louisiana Superdome opened in 1975, the old stadium’s days were numbered; demolition began in November 1979 and was completed in 1980.
Stats at a Glance
- Teams: Tulane Green Wave football (1926–1974); New Orleans Saints NFL (1967–1974)
- Location: Tulane University campus, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Opened: October 23, 1926
- Demolished: 1979–1980
- Peak Capacity: 80,985
- Super Bowls Hosted: 3 (Super Bowls IV, VI, and IX)
- Sugar Bowls Hosted: 41 (1935–1974)
- Record Attendance: 86,598 (December 1, 1973)
Super Bowls, Sugar Bowls, and Historic Moments
Tulane Stadium’s most celebrated chapter came as a host of major national events. The Sugar Bowl called the stadium home for four decades, with the inaugural game played on January 1, 1935, between Tulane and Temple. Three Super Bowls followed: Super Bowl IV in January 1970, Super Bowl VI in January 1972, and Super Bowl IX in January 1975. The stadium’s sheer size and New Orleans’ reputation for hospitality made it a natural choice for the NFL’s biggest stage during the sport’s formative years.
Individual performances added to the stadium’s legend. On November 8, 1970, New Orleans Saints kicker Tom Dempsey booted a 63-yard field goal against the Detroit Lions — a world record that stood for 28 years. That same year, the venue hosted the Soul Bowl music festival featuring James Brown and Isaac Hayes, underscoring the stadium’s cultural reach well beyond football.
Farewell and Legacy
When the Louisiana Superdome opened in time for the 1975 NFL season, both the Saints and Tulane’s football program relocated, leaving the old stadium without tenants. Its final competitive game came on November 3, 1979, a high school matchup between Chalmette and Jesuit High School. The night before demolition began, roughly 15,000 fans gathered for a farewell ceremony, with the Southern University Marching Band playing ‘Just a Closer Walk with Thee’ as a final sendoff.
Demolition ran from November 18, 1979, through June 1980. The site became a recreation and athletic facility for Tulane University, and college football returned to the same grounds in 2014 with the opening of Yulman Stadium. Tulane Stadium’s legacy endures through the three Super Bowls and 41 Sugar Bowls it staged, cementing its place as one of the most important sporting venues in Southern history.
Explore more: Explore more historic stadiums.
Tulane Stadium FAQs
When was Tulane Stadium demolished?
Tulane Stadium was demolished between November 18, 1979, and June 1980, after the Louisiana Superdome opened and rendered it obsolete.
How many Super Bowls were played at Tulane Stadium?
Three Super Bowls were held at Tulane Stadium: Super Bowl IV (January 1970), Super Bowl VI (January 1972), and Super Bowl IX (January 1975).
What replaced Tulane Stadium?
The site became a recreation and athletic center for Tulane University. In 2014, a new on-campus football venue, Yulman Stadium, opened on the same grounds.
Get More from Tulane Stadium
log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Tulane Stadium, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Photo by Infrogmation of New Orleans / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.