Due to the ongoing recovery efforts in New Orleans and the surrounding communities in the wake of Hurricane Ida, the New Orleans Saints week one home game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, September 12 will be played at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. The game will remain a 4:25 p.m. ET start and be broadcast on FOX.
The decision was made, in consultation with state and local officials and both clubs, in the interest of public safety. According to the Saints, moving the game also provides the city with the greatest ability to continue storm clean up and properly allows the city’s infrastructure to recover.
“It is never easy to make a decision that involves not playing a Saints home game in the Caesars Superdome, but I am confident that this is the right decision for our city at this juncture,” Saints owner Gayle Benson said. “Collectively, we have a monumental task ahead of us in cleaning up the after effects left by Hurricane Ida but it has been inspiring to see people getting right to work and starting the process.”
“I wish to personally thank (Jaguars owner) Shahid Khan, (Jaguars president) Mark Lamping and the entire Jacksonville Jaguars staff and their city leaders in offering to host our game,” Benson continued.
As the city focuses on recovery, the NFL Foundation will contribute $1 million to Hurricane Ida relief efforts with a donation to the New Orleans Saints Gulf Coast Renewal Fund.
Over the next few weeks, the NFL Foundation will work in tandem with the New Orleans Saints to identify nonprofit organizations who will address the immediate needs of those impacted throughout Louisiana. The NFL Foundation’s donation matches New Orleans Saints Owner Gayle Benson’s initial contribution to the Gulf Coast Renewal Fund announced on Monday.
The Saints are preparing for their season opener at Texas Christian University facilities in Fort Worth, TX after the team evacuated New Orleans on August 28.