NEW ORELANS – No city knows how to do big events quite like New Orleans. That’s why when Super Bowl LIX is played at the Superdome on Sunday, New Orleans will tie Miami as the city that has hosted the NFL’s championship game more than any other with both hosting the big game a record 11 times each.
Most of the people descending upon New Orleans for the Super Bowl this week don’t have a ticket for the game with nosebleed seats costing around $5,000. Then again, that’s chump change if you want to party like a baller on Super Bowl Saturday night at “Sports Illustrated The Party” where you can book a Row 1 VIP table for $65,000, a second row table for $50,000 or a second row mezzanine table for $25,000 to see Dom Dolla and Diplo at Mardi Gras World. That same night at nearby Generations Hall, you could drop anywhere from $65,000 to $10,000 for a table to see Timbaland and Plastik Funk at the Maxim Saints and Sinner Big Game Party. If you’re trying to ball on a budget, we’ll tell you how you can get into both of those parties for less than $300 or tailgate before the Super Bowl with Guy Fieri for free. More on that later.
While the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs will arrive in Las Vegas a week before the game, most fans and party-goers won’t get into town until Wednesday night, which is when the parties begin.
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Wednesday, February 5
Fathead & LePortier Cognac Super Bowl Week Kickoff Party
The NFL hosts Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday but Super Bowl week doesn’t really start for most until hall of famer Shannon Sharpe hosts his annual kickoff party with his award-winning brand of cognac with him. Last year Le Portier announced the launch of Shay VSOP. This year’s party is presented by Fathead and will take place at Brasa in New Orleans. The exclusive event will also honor the life and legacy of Michael “Orny” Ornstein, a former NFL executive and marketing agent, and benefit families affected by the California wildfires.
Thursday, February 6
A Super Bowl week staple for over a decade, "Ditka & Jaws Cigars with Stars" will return this year hosted by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski and former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, who will be taking the place of Bears’ legend Mike Ditka. After suffering a heart attack in 2018, the 85-year-old Ditka has stayed away from the limelight. This year’s event will take place at Generations Hall in New Orleans. The VIP cigar party will feature premium cigars and cocktails and a confirmed list of football legends that includes hall of famers Andre Reed, Eric Dickerson, Marcus Allen, Barry Sanders, Warren Moon and Lawrence Taylor.
Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver “The Playmaker” Michael Irvin will be front and center at the fourth annual Playmakers Party at the Ohm Lounge in New Orleans. The party will benefit Hounds and Heroes, a nonprofit founded by former Cowboys Cheerleader and Los Angeles Lakers scout, Bonnie Jill-Laflin. The Steve Fowler-produced event always is good for a surprise or two. Last year renowned DJ Paul Oakenfold performed and the year before that Lil Jon took the stage for a DJ set. The guest list for this year’s party includes Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald, Josh Dobbs and a bevy of FHM models as the men’s lifestyle magazine is a presenting sponsor.
Friday, February 7
Rao's Italian Restaurant Pop-Up
Clover, in conjunction with landmark New York establishments, Rao’s Italian Restaurant and FINI’s Pizza, will be hosting a pop-up in New Orleans, offering complimentary New York City pizza, beverages, a live sports podcast, Good Man Brand pop-up – and exclusive Clover x Fini merchandise. The best part about the activation? It's free!
World-renowned bourbon expert, bestselling author and podcast host Fred Minnick, will host his annual Super Bowl event at the New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District Hotel along with Pro Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw, NFL legend Jared Allen, actors Ian Somerhalder (Vampire Diaries) and Rob McElhenney (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia). The event will also feature performances by multi-platinum-selling country music artist Dierks Bentley and singer-songwriter Danni Rose. Bradshaw will open the event alongside Minnick with a toast and live Q&A. That will be followed by Bentley’s acoustic performance and live Fred Minnick Show interviews featuring the event’s special guests. Rose will close the evening with an acoustic performance following the live Fred Minnick Show tapings.
Grammy Award-winning DJ and producer Diplo will headline the first annual Pre-Game Party at the iconic Generations Hall in New Orleans. DJ unKommon is also set to perform at the event. "We're so excited to host the first-ever Pre-Game Party in the city that's known for its unique music, culture, and atmosphere," said Seth Kaplan, founder of UnKommon Events. "Generations Hall will be buzzing with the same rare, enticing aura that defines New Orleans."
Is there anything Shaquille O’Neal can’t do? The hall of famer and Lakers great has become a mainstay during Super Bowl week as well. This is the seventh year that O’Neal will be hosting his Shaq’s Fun House party before the Super Bowl. He will be bringing his immersive carnival with rides and games to Mardi Gras World in New Orleans. Headliners for the party, which starts at 10 p.m., include Ludacris, John Summit and DJ Diesl, which is O’Neal’s DJ name. The party is the first of three Super Bowl week events being put on by Medium Rare co-founders Joe Silberzweig and Adam Richman. The party’s guest list over the years has included Jack Harlow, Jeremy Renner, Adam Levine, Jamie Foxx, Tiffany Haddish, Nate Diaz, Rob Gronkowski, Floyd Mayweather, Migos and Allen Iverson.
Saturday, February 8
Not only is Leigh Steinberg a super-agent who inspired the movie Jerry Maguire and currently represents Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is playing in his fifth Super Bowl in six years and going for his fourth title and a record third straight, but he is the godfather of the Super Bowl party scene. Steinberg’s Super Bowl party has been a fixture of Super Bowl weekend dating back to Super Bowl XIX played at Stanford Stadium in 1985. Steinberg will host his party this year at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. The party will include a live musical performance from the Rebirth Brass Band hosted by Big Freedia and the guest list includes many of Steinberg’s former clients such as Troy Aikman, Steve Young and Warren Moon. There will also be a Brain Health Summit before the beginning of the party as Steinberg was one of the first agents to publicly talk about the dangers of concessions and CTE.
The Taste of the NFL has been one of the staples of Super Bowl week for years and will take place at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The event is annually the Super Bowl’s largest purpose-driven culinary event with net proceeds benefiting GENYOUth, which tackles youth hunger and food insecurity. This year’s event will feature world class chefs Andrew Zimmern, Carla Hall, Tim Love, Lasheeda Perry, and Mark Bucher and NFL Legends and players.
For years, the Maxim party has been one of the best parties during Super Bowl week and this year looks like it will be no exception with Timbaland headlining the event at Generations Hall. There will also be performances by Plastik Funk and DJ unKommon.
One of the most talked about parties each year is Sports Illustrated The Party and this year it will take place at Mardi Gras headlined by Dom Dolla and Diplo. In the past, the party has attracted A-listers such as Shaquille O’Neal, Ciara, Russell Wilson, Jeff Bexos and Kevin Hart.
Sunday, February 9
One of the more fun recent Super Bowl traditions and easily the most affordable (it’s FREE!) is Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate. It’s a food festival combined with a music festival featuring over 20 restaurant pop-ups and custom Guy Fieri creations with Diplo and Thomas Wesley performing. It will take place at Mardi Gras World starting at 12 p.m. before the Super Bowl.
Award-winning chef Marcus Samuelson will host the 10th anniversary of the Players Tailgate party, which is walking distance to the Superdome before the Super Bowl. The event will be emceed by former ESPN anchor Sage Steele with music by DJ Irie. The ticketed event will start at 1 p.m., and include over 50 active NFL players and celebrities as well as gourmet dishes and craft cocktails prepared by celebrity chefs from around the country.
If we missed any Super Bowl parties or events in New Orleans please email us at tips@thesportingtribune.com and we will update this live story. The Sporting Tribune will also post a recap with photos after the Super Bowl.
