The Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans
Holiday Inn Superdome gets its name due to the proximity to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints.
New Orleans is one of the major destinations for football, not only because of its hometeam, the Saints, but also because the Super Bowl will come to New Orleans in 2013. Recent renovations to the dome will allow more than 76,000 fans to witness Super Bowl XLVII. (Super Bowl XLVII will be the tenth time the Super Bowl has been hosted in New Orleans!)
Though the Superdome is mostly thought of as a venue for professional football, the facility is used for a wide variety of entertainment events throughout the year.
Tulane University uses the Superdome as its homefield for the year, and college football uses the facility for several other important games. Each year, the Bayou Classic between Southern University and Grambling University packs the dome, as well as the Sugar Bowl between newly named contestants each year.
The major events do not stop at sports. Monster truck rallies, concerts, youth conferences, political rallies and much more keep the Superdome busy throughout the year.
The Essence Music Festival
On the weekend before July 4th, the Superdome hosts The Essence Music Festival: the premier event for African American music and culture. The Festival annually draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to New Orleans, along with some of the top names in hip-hop and R&B music.
The Superdome's Storied History
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome has a special place in the memories of New Orleans residents. The Superdome provided a refuge for those who lost their homes during Hurricane Katrina. Thousands of locals made the field where the Saints played their home for a short time.
When the storms were finally done and the city rebuilt, the return of the Saints to the Superdome was an emotionally charged event. The Saints have been back in the Superdome since 2006.
