NEW ORLEANS — The Saints and Pelicans aren't doing great right now, but rugby season is just around the corner. The New Orleans NOLA Gold is ready to make another run at the playoffs, and they hope the Shrine on Airline Highway will be filled with cheering fans.
On Airline Highway sits the Shrine, formally home to the Baby Cakes minor league baseball team. Now, it's home to NOLA Gold.
Rugby season kicks off in February, and the hope is to get more people through the gate. According to Nola Gold, this coming season, there will be local bands, parties after the game, entertainment for kids, and VIP packages.
Kevin Ferguson with New Orleans and Company said, "That fan experience is what keeps people coming back."
A relatively new sport to the city, Major League Rugby's 2024 season was historic for NOLA Gold. They reached the playoffs for the first time ever.
NOLA Gold Chairman Thierry Daupin said, "We're looking at a very simple package, where you buy a ticket of four, including food and drinks and maybe even a special gift for the kids."
Now, the plan is to engage the youth in the international sport. Daupin said, "We're investing 1.1 million dollars in youth rugby, so we are going to have over 3,000 kids learn rugby."
New Orleans and Company, which focuses on the city's tourism, is collaborating with the rugby team to attract more people to Airline Hwy. Ferguson hopes to attract both locals and visitors, saying, "For us, we're always looking to expand the message that New Orleans is a welcoming place to different markets and different environments."
NOLA Gold says the stadium is set to undergo major renovations, but that will happen after the 2025 season.
According to NOLA Gold, the schools involved include:
- Ecole Bilingue
- St. Phillip Neri
- St. Pauls
- St. Edward the Confessor
- Warren Easton High
- William Pitcher Jr High
- Lancaster Elementary
- Issac G. Smith (IGJ)
- Truman
- Estelle
- Chateau Estates
- Gretna #2
- Bunche
- Bridgedale Elementary
- Covington High School
- St. Pius
- Holy Cross
- Airline Park
- Lycee Francais
- Audubon Charter Gentilly
- Audubon Charter Uptown
- Hynes Lakeview
- ISL
- Waldo Burton Boys Home
- NOLA Maritime Military Academy
- St. Rose Elementary School
- Jesuit High School
- Brother Martin
- St Pauls
- East Jefferson
- Springfield Middle
- Geneva Academy
- Belle Chasse Middle
- Brusly Middle School
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