THE Caesars Superdome is littered with empty seats after the Sugar Bowl was postponed due to a terror attack.
Many fans have chosen to return home instead of staying in New Orleans to watch the game.
TwitterMany college football fans have opted to ditch the Sugar Bowl after the terror attack[/caption] ReutersThe College Football Playoff matchup is not expected to be a sellout after the attack[/caption]The Sugar Bowl was initially set to be played on New Year’s Day, but the terror attack on Bourbon Street put a halt to the game.
Security concerns forced game officials to push the game back by a day to give police time to investigate and secure the area.
The Sugar Bowl will now kick off at 4 pm ET, but many fans are not in attendance to watch the game.
Sports Illustrated reporter Bryan Fischer reported ahead of kickoff that fans filed in, but it isn’t expected to be a sellout.
Ahead of kickoff, ticket prices tanked from hundreds of dollars to less than $20.
It appears that many fans decided to take their trips home to stay safe instead of remaining in New Orleans for the game.
While many fans are concerned about the safety of the game, police are ensuring that the city and the stadium will be heavily protected.
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Ann Kirkpatrick told NBC News that the security levels at the Sugar Bowl could surpass those of the Super Bowl.
“We are going to have absolutely hundreds of officers and staff lining our streets,” she said.
“We are staffing up at the same level if not more so than we were prepared for Super Bowl.”
Police have also shut down highway access to the stadium to stop any cars from getting near the Superdome.
“Drivers should expect Superdome exit ramps to be closed right now,” Fox New Orleans traffic anchor Kristi Coleman reported.
“Active investigation still going on in the French Quarter and heavy police presence by the dome due to today’s game.”
Water-filled barriers are blocking streets surrounding the stadium and the French Quarter.
Large vehicles are also being used as barricades in areas where there aren’t enough barriers.
Bomb-sniffing dogs are on-site at the stadium to ensure a safe environment for fans and players.
College Football Playoff schedule
First-round games:
No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame – Friday, Dec. 20, 8 pm ET, ABC/ESPN No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State – Saturday, Dec. 21, 12 pm ET, TNT/Max No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas – Saturday, Dec. 21, 4 pm ET, TNT/Max No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State – Saturday, Dec. 21, 8 pm ET, ABC/ESPNSecond-round games:
No. 3 Boise State vs. Penn State/SMU – Tuesday, Dec. 31, 7:30 pm ET, ESPN No. 4 Arizona State vs Texas/Clemson – Wednesday, Jan. 1, 1 pm ET, ESPN No. 1 Oregon vs Ohio State/Tennessee – Wednesday, Jan. 1, 5 pm ET, ESPN No. 2 Georgia vs Notre Dame/Indiana – *POSTPONED* Thursday, Jan. 2, 4 pm ET, ESPNSemifinals:
No. 6 Penn State vs Georgia/Notre Dame – Thursday, Jan. 9, 7:30 pm ET, ESPN No. 5 Texas vs No. 8 Ohio State – Friday, Jan. 10, 7:30 pm ET, ESPNNational Championship Game:
TBD vs TBD, Monday, Jan. 20, 7:30 pm ET, ESPNLouisiana attorney general Liz Murrill emphasized that the game is safe, and that the governor will even be in attendance.
“I believe that the community is safe,” Murrill said.
“There’s a huge law enforcement presence here in New Orleans.
“I believe that everyone is safe, and the governor plans to attend the football game.”
While the governor is in attendance, that seemingly wasn’t enough to convince many fans to stick around and watch their teams compete.
APFans are being subjected to heavy security following the Bourbon Street attack[/caption] Read More Details
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