Despite rumors to the contrary, there are a number of fine quality hotel rooms remaining in New Orleans over Sugar College Bowl Picks and the New Orleans Bowl," said Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau. "We are expecting great crowds from the fans of Troy University, the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Alabama and the University of Utah, and their rooms are waiting for them. The two bowl games are a great opportunity for attendees to experience the holiday season and the authentic, amazing nightlife, music, restaurants, and hospitality of New Orleans and all of the buzz and excitement of actually being in the Crescent City near the Louisiana Superdome."* R + L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: December 21, 2008, the Troy University Trojans and the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles will battle it out on the field for the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The annual football game matches up the best of the Sunbelt Conference and Conference USA. Last year's game estimated 25,146 attendees. Other festivities include the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Fan Fest at Fulton Street on Saturday, December 20.
* 75th Allstate Sugar Bowl Football Classic: Celebrating its 75th anniversary, this year's Sugar Bowl game on January 2, 2009, features the University of Alabama Crimson Tide from the Southeastern Conference and the University of Utah Utes from the Mountain West Conference. Last year approximately 74,383 people attended the game, with thousands more visiting the city and an estimated economic impact of $164 million. Sugar Bowl festivities include the Allstate Sugar College Bowl Picks Fan Fest to be held near Jax Brewery on Decatur Street in the French Quarter on Wednesday, December 31 and Thursday, January 1. Sugar College Bowl visitors also can ring in 2009 with a number of New Year's Eve festivities planned in New Orleans and College Bowl Picks.
With over 18,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of the Superdome, 33,000 hotel rooms city-wide and more restaurants open than ever, New Orleans' hospitality industry is ready to greet football fans from around the country.