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NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The iconic Superdome, a landmark in New Orleans for nearly 50 years, has undergone a $560 million renovation, completed just days before the New Orleans Saints’ first preseason game.

Fans attending the team’s open practice on Friday will be among the first to experience the stadium’s new look.

Caesars Superdome, which is set to host its record-tying eighth Super Bowl next February, has long been known for its somewhat dark and theater-like interior. However, with competition from newer stadiums in cities like Atlanta, Dallas, and Jacksonville, the need for a modernized interior became evident.

“It needs to compete with Atlanta, Dallas, and Jacksonville, all those stadiums are new and renovated,” said Mike Hoss, with ASM Global Communications, the dome’s management company.

While the stadium’s exterior remains largely unchanged, the interior now features significantly more natural light, illuminating the brand-new turf field where the Saints will play their 57th season. The enhancements aim to improve the fan experience, especially as the venue prepares to host Super Bowl LIV.

“They were geniuses in the late ‘60s and were ahead of their time, and they’re just as much geniuses now,” Hoss added, praising the visionaries behind the original construction and the recent renovation.

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The revamped Superdome now boasts wider concourses and new marketplace-style vending areas on almost every level. Among the highlights are two 40-yard-long bars on the plaza level, offering fans a view of the field while they socialize.

“It’s fan experience, from getting into the building, getting into your seat, getting your concessions, it is all driven by making it better for the fans,” Hoss explained.

A major feature of the renovation is the completion of all four atrium escalators, which will transport fans to the highest levels of the dome with convenient stops along the way. The escalators are enhanced by LED lighting that can change to any color, including LSU purple.

The project was fully funded by a partnership between the state, the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (LSED), and the Saints, with the final cost totaling $560 million. The price increased by $100 million due to post-COVID inflation, but the additional costs were covered by the three-way partnership.

The renovation, overseen by Trahan Architects and Broadmoor Construction, was completed over four years, with work taking place between football seasons to minimize disruption.

As visitors prepare to attend events at the new-look Caesars Superdome this weekend, they are advised to allow extra time due to ongoing work on Poydras Street.

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