Champions Square

It was my first time here and it wasn’t even for something Saints related! I actually went to the free REO Speedwagon show here and I had a great time. Oh, I’m gonna keep on lovin’ you!
This is a great spot. For this concert, it wasn’t super packed so we got to get pretty close to the stage. I like that the area is nicely paved, and for this particular show, they had an assortment of food trucks as well as trucks that were selling beer and daiquiris. The drinks are a little pricey, but that’s not a big deal when you are here for an event. Security was out in force, so we felt safe and we had a really good time. Oh, and bonus points for super nice restrooms!
I definitely want to go back and get the full experience right before a Saints game. I imagine that that’s a lot of fun.

They recently started using this spot for music events and I must say how underwhelming the sound quality is here. Please please please add more speakers behind the crowd to create a better sound sphere. You can casually talk to the person next to you the sound quality is so mediocre.

This fairly new concert venue is a great addition to the New Orleans area. It is an outdoor venue so severe weather would probably cancel any event held here. I have also been to a summer concert here. It was at night but still miserably hot. Beyond some weather limitations it is a really cool spot. Some of the events are standing only but some will have reserved seating. There is an indoor lounge area with seating and a bar. Vendors outside sell a wide array of beverages and food, everything from beer to wine to Daiquiris to funnel cakes. ATMs are available and a lot of the vendors do accept credit cards. Tip: ladies bring a small purse. It doesn’t have to be see through like the Saints games but it can’t be big. Guys leave the wallet chains at home, they will not let you bring it in.

Awesome outdoor arena, however it is ALL STANDING — GENERAL ADMISSION so make sure you get there early if you want to be up close to the stage. They have a few food/​drink vendors, nothing crazy.

I used to work security at a concert venue in Florida, and I was impressed at how smoothly this venue was run. Went to will call and had no problem picking up my ticket. My partner forgot to print his out and had no problem getting in with the PDF on his phone. The people waiting at the front gates were all processed quickly and efficiently when they were first opened. We went inside and ordered dinner and drinks from their inside food court with no problem or hassle. I was actually impressed by the quality of the beef in my roast beef po-​boy, though the bread was lackluster and by the end was a mass of quivering bread goo on my cardboard tray.
I was also surprised at how good of a view we had with our GA tickets. We saw the whole show from a good vantage point that was also very close to food and beverage stands. There were long lines at the beverage stands and in the bathrooms between acts, but that’s pretty much to be expected.
We spent about $ 20 on a po’boy, jambalaya, and drinks, which wasn’t bad.
I’m not an expert on sound design, but I enjoyed the volume and quality of the music. We parked in a nearby garage that was easy to get to, and the staff at the event seemed to have things well in hand.
The night was pretty pricey overall, but that was to be expected, and I was more happy with the experience than I would have been at the events I used to work for (and at previous concerts I’ve been to in NOLA).

Love Champion Square for a pre Saints game. Absolutely HORRIBLE place for a concert. Concert was put on hold for drizzling rain… they made everyone evacuate to the garages then let everyone back in with no order whatsoever so people with cheap tickets got up front and people with VIP were out of a seat. Very unorganized. It’s an outdoor concert in New Orleans in July, it’s gonna rain people. Plan better. Concert resumed but was cut short. Definitely won’t be going back

Champions Square continues to improve every year. When it first opened in August 2010 it was pretty basic in design and concept. Just a big open outdoor place for Saints fans to congregate before heading into the dome. Back then they didn’t have permanent restrooms or even a permanent stage. They didn’t think it was a good idea to even provide seating for us loyal fans. Everyone had to stand around the whole time they were there.
Fast forward to today and Champions Square is something to be proud of. Free concert before every Saints game. There is a huge permanent stage. They have real restrooms now not those yucky portable restrooms. They built the beautiful grand staircase that leads right up to the dome. They also built a four level balcony on the east side of the plaza. And finally they thought of building an indoor area (Opening Act) where fans can SIT. You can also watch the game now on the numerous TV’s in Opening Act. Of course food and beverages are sold at the square. The prices are a little high but at least they have stepped up their game. The food is much improved and the liquor is all premium brands. Their well brands are Bombay, Grey Goose, Ciroc, Crown, Jack, etc.
Champions Square is an ideal spot for large crowds as it can hold thousands comfortably. Just in the last two years they have been holding numerous concerts here. While the square still needs more improvements (more seating is still necessary) it is an asset to the Superdome and New Orleans.

Fun pre game events! Awesome music and fun crowds! Bit packed and alcohol lines a bit long but wished I had gotten there e SB earlier to hang out! (We got there. 90 min before game time)

Have been before Saints games & had a good time. It is an all outdoor venue so you have to understand the weather of the area. The food and drinks for games are expensive but not above what would be expected for the type of events & everything has always been tasty.
The reason for my poor star rating is the fact that we were there for a concert (dropped off so no car) and had a mid-​size backpack. It was a very expensive bag & security made us throw it away. I had checked before the event & there was nothing about bag restrictions on the venue site, artist’s tour site or in the 4 emails received from ticket master. There was plenty concern about ensuring no one scalped tickets which led to a disaster & extra trips to the dome. I have no problem with reasonable bag restrictions but they should be posted in advance so that people can properly plan. Other people in our group had small backpacks & they were allowed with only half of them being searched. To me this proves safety isn’t there real concern. They just set rules to put on a safety façade.

I’m a die hard Saints fan, a proud member of the Who Dat Nation, bleed Black and Gold and all the other cliches but also a realist. Champions Square getting 3 stars is not indicative of my lack of love for the Saints. It’s just being honest to what the place is. Champion Square is nothing more than a smart business move by Tom Benson to capitilize on tailgating.
What is it really? It’s a big outdoor area with pictures of New Orleans/​Louisiana sports moments, a big tv, and vendors selling food and beer. The only real time anything is going on is during Saints games. The idea is cool, it allows us early birds a cool enviroment to shell out 5.00 for a can of beer before taking our place inside where we will then be drunk enough to pay 10.00 for that same beer.
The problem I have is it’s identity. It’s called Champions Square. The Saints only have 1 as of now. I guess they are piggy backing on LSU’s 2 recent championships as well with a huge picture of Les Miles holding up the 2007 Championship trophy. There’s a huge picture of Pistol Pete Maravich as well. I know he’s a beloved Louisiana icon but what did he win? Is this suppose to be a tribute area to Louisiana Sports? a tribute to sports moments in the Superdome? Maybe add a little museum of those things or more monuments. Until then it’s just really bad 80’s cover bands playing on a stage while a bunch of drunken Who Dat’s wait for the gates to open… not that there is anything wrong with that.

One idea for the fans that Benson had that was much needed and appreciated.

It’s not the fault of the creator that I was so miserable. It’s just that a place like this doesn’t work in NO because of the heat. It was unbearable before the Saints-​Falcons opening season game. Evidence of this is the fact that there really weren’t many people there. My daughter and I were drenched before we called it quits and headed into the regrigerator that is also called ‘da Dome. I may try again when it’s cooler… or not. The food and drink looked passable, but not good enough to make it worth the heat.

How is it possible that Champions Square has zero reviews? That’s just weird.
This is the space created adjacent to the superdome for partying/​concerts/​what not before you wander into the superdome. It seems really big when it’s empty… but then you’re packed in with a bunch of other fans and it seems quite small.
Still it’s a great space to enjoy before you head into the dome… or for a random concerts that sometimes occur.
I think my favorite thing is that it feels like a canyon (pretty rare in NOLA, y’know) so besides enjoying whatevers going on, I can also pretend I’m in an old western. Yes, I know that’s odd, but there ya go.