When Will the Rescheduled Sugar Bowl Game 2025 Take Place?
Football was overshadowed by tragedy on New Year’s Day following a fatal truck attack in New Orleans, leaving 15 dead and many more injured.
Authorities identified the driver as a Texas-born man and Army veteran who plowed a truck displaying an ISIS flag into a crowd of New Year’s celebrants on Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m., resulting in 15 fatalities and at least 30 injuries, according to police.
This tragic event occurred on a day when the University of Georgia and Notre Dame were set to compete in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Here’s what you need to know about the rescheduled game.
What led to the postponement of the Sugar Bowl?
Due to the truck attack, Sugar Bowl officials decided to reschedule the game to 4 p.m. ET on January 2, moving it from its original time of 8:45 p.m. ET on New Year’s Day.
“Public safety is always our top priority, especially during a major event in New Orleans,” stated Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley during a press briefing on January 1, emphasizing that “All parties agree that postponing the game is in everyone’s best interest for public safety.”
Hundley noted that the decision was made after discussions with state and local officials, ESPN, which will air the game, and the universities involved.
“While we operate in a fun-and-games environment, we understand the importance of safety, and we fully support this decision,” Hundley remarked.
Democratic Congressman Troy Carter also addressed the game’s postponement.
“The decision was made with one goal in mind: ensuring public safety for both citizens and visitors during this and all future events in Louisiana,” Carter stated, according to The Associated Press.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman expressed support for the postponement as well.
“I have strong faith that the country will unite in support of New Orleans and the victims’ families affected by today’s tragedy,” Freeman told ESPN.
When will the Sugar Bowl take place and how can fans watch?
The game is now set for 4 p.m. ET on January 2 at the 74,000-seat Superdome, home of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. It will be broadcast live on ESPN and streamed via the ESPN app.
New Orleans officials have confirmed that additional security measures will be in effect for the game.
“We are deploying bomb dogs to sweep the Superdome and the entire exterior area, which will be secured throughout the game,” said Anne Kirkpatrick, Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department, at a news conference.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced on January 1 that he plans to attend the game.
“I assure you, your governor will be present,” Landry stated. “That alone proves that the facility and this city are safer today than they were yesterday.”
The winner of the Georgia-Notre Dame matchup will proceed to the CFP semifinals, where they will face Penn State, who triumphed over Boise State 31-14 in the quarterfinals. The semifinal is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on January 9 in Miami at the Orange Bowl.
The other semifinal matchup is already confirmed, with Texas set to compete against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl at 7:30 p.m. ET on January 10 in Arlington, Texas.
