Sugar Bowl postponed until 4 P.M. on Jan. 2 after deadly New Orleans attack

NEW ORLEANS — Officials announced the 2025 Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame has been postponed until 3 p.m. CT/4 p.m. EST on Jan. 2 in wake of the deadly attack in New Orleans early on New Year’s Day.

“The decision was made in coordination with federal, state, and local authorities as well as the College Football Playoff, ESPN, the Southeastern Conference, the University of Georgia, the University of Notre Dame, and Caesars Superdome,” according to Allstate Sugar Bowl officials.

All game tickets for the Sugar Bowl will be valid for the postponed time, according to officials.

District Attorney of Orleans Parish Jason Williams first told ABC News that the game will be played on Thursday instead of Wednesday night.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation says a man “intentionally” crashed into a crowd on Bourbon Street around 3:15 a.m. local time Wednesday. At least 10 people were killed and another 35 have been injured, including two police officers who were injured.

Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley confirmed at a news conference on Wednesday afternoon that all parties agreed that it was “in the best interest of everyone that we postpone the game for 24 hours.”

“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,” Hundley said in a statement.

The University of Georgia confirmed that one student was critically injured. The identity of the student and current extent of the student’s injuries is unknown.

Officials have not identified any of the victims who were killed or injured. The FBI has identified the suspect as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who is a U.S. citizen from Texas. Jabbar was killed in a shooting with police officers following the attack around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday along Bourbon Street in the city’s French Quarter, the FBI said.

Authorities said there are more people who are responsible for this attack. Georgia State University officials confirmed that Jabbar was a former GSU student.

Two IEDs were found in the area of the attack, according to officials. According to the FBI, an Islamic State group flag was recovered in the vehicle used by the attacker.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, Louisiana senators, police officials and other city officials provided updates about what they say is an “evil,” “heinous act,” and “terrorist attack.”

Officials said Louisiana State Police, New Orleans police, state and city officials, Homeland Security and the FBI are working to investigate this incident and the FBI is leading the investigation. Every flag in every building will be at half staff.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said, “anything that would lead to impeding this investigation will not be said. This is a fluid process. We’re hunting some bad people down and focused on public safety. When we have more information, we will provide it. We recognize we have a problem and we’re going to fix it. The solution that we’re going to come up with is going to be a permanent one. Bourbon Street is an active crime scene.”

The University of Georgia Athletic Association says all team members who traveled to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl have been accounted for.

“This is not just an act of terrorism. This is evil,” New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said. The driver “defeated” safety measures that were in place to protect pedestrians, she said, and was “hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did.”

New Orleans officials ensured they will “use every resource possible during this investigation.”

“The FBI is in charge of this investigation,” said Cantrell. “I’ve gone to the hospital to with Kirkpatrick and considering their injuries, they are doing well. It is an active crime scene. We are taking every necessary step to put more safety measures into place. The greater New Orleans Association is providing funds to victims. I want to thank our citizens for your heartfelt prayers.”

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry thanked the first responders, police officers and everyone who offered support during this tragedy.

“I have amended an emergency declaration and executive order in place ahead of Mardi Gras, and the Super Bowl,” Gov. Landry said.

A UGA student was critically injured during the incident, according to UGA President Jere W. Morehead.

“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,” UGA posted on X. “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.”

UGA president Morehead released a statement on X formerly known as Twitter.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families as we work through this,” said Hundley. “We have full faith and confidence in the governor and the mayor and all the federal, state, and local first-responders that they’ve applied to this horrific event. Any time we have an event like the Sugar Bowl, public safety is paramount, and all parties involved agree that could only be achieved with a postponement. Now we will move ahead to take care of the details to make the Sugar Bowl the first-class, fun, and safe event that it has been for over 90 years.”

The Superdome, which is about 20 blocks away from where the deadly attack happened, is also scheduled to host the Super Bowl on Feb. 9.