Tens of thousands of fans are in town for the game between Georgia and Notre Dame, many staying in hotels near the attack.
The Sugar Bowl game between Notre Dame and Georgia in New Orleans has been delayed due to a terror attack in the French Quarter that resulted in 15 fatalities and numerous injuries on New Year’s morning.
The match was initially planned for Wednesday night at 7:45 p.m. but has been rescheduled to Thursday at 3 p.m. CT, a slight time change from the initial announcement.
Sugar Bowl organizers have been coordinating with ESPN, the SEC, the College Football Playoff, and the teams from Georgia and Notre Dame, with a primary focus on ensuring public safety.
Earlier Wednesday security crews were sweeping the Caesars Superdome in anticipation of the game, which is part of the College Football Playoff. Tens of thousands of fans are in town for the contest.
“The decision that was made to postpone the game was not done lightly,” said U.S. Congressman Troy Carter, D-La., “It was done with one thing in mind – public safety.”
The University of Notre Dame had previously cancelled fan events for Wednesday prior to the game in light of the tragedy.
At least 15 people were killed and dozens more were injured when a pickup truck plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day.
After going through the crowd, the suspect crashed his vehicle and shot two responding officers. The officers fired back and struck the suspect. He was declared dead at the scene.
The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism.
RELATED: What we know about the Bourbon St. attack suspect
The Superdome is about a mile walking distance from where the attack occurred.
Officers from multiple agencies were seen at and near the Super Dome.
Bourbon Street was closed for the foreseeable future as investigators swept the area, Morena said. The New Orleans Police Department urged people to avoid Bourbon Street north from Canal to Dumaine Streets and also east to Royal Street to west to Dauphine Street until further notice.
RELATED: Bourbon Street Terror Attack: Bollards were ‘down for repair’
Both Sugar Bowl teams have issued statements.
Georgia posted, “We are horrified and saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day in New Orleans. University personnel are working to determine if any UGA students, faculty, staff, alumni or fans were among the victims. We offer our deepest condolences to all the victims and their families, and we stand in solidarity with the New Orleans community.”
Notre Dame wrote, “We are aware of the incident this morning in New Orleans and are working with law enforcement and others to determine the full scope and impact of the tragedy. The public is urged to avoid Bourbon Street north from Canal to Dumaine Streets and also east from Royal Street to Dauphine Street until further notice as the investigation is ongoing.”
Sugar Bowl Chief Executive Officer Jeff Hundley issued a statement saying, “The Sugar Bowl Committee is devastated by the terrible events from early this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We are in ongoing discussions with authorities on the local, state, and federal levels and will communicate further details as they become available.”
The Super Dome is also set to host the Super Bowl on February 9.
