While visiting the city of New Orleans, consider catching a New Orleans Saints Football game. Featured below is background information for New Orleans Saints Football and ticket purchasing options. Please call our sponsor at 1-888-529-5800 for more information and additional details. Thanks for stopping by and supporting AARoads.com.

New Orleans Saints Travel Information

The New Orleans Saints began play in the National Football League as it's 16th franchise in 1966. In 1967 the team is officially named the Saints and the team sports a 5-1 preseason record, best ever for an expansion franchise in the NFL. Home games were played at Tulane Stadium that season and it was not until November 5th that the first regular season victory came to New Orleans with a 31-24 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Believe it or not the 3-11 record of the 1967 Saints tied for the best record by an expansion team in the NFL at that time. By 1968 the 7-20-1 combined records of the Saints first two seasons was also a NFL best for an expansion club.

By 1974 the New Orleans Saints moved out of Tulane Stadium, their home of eight seasons, into the New Orleans Superdome. They began their 1974 season at the Superdome with a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals 21-0 before 52,531 fans. The AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was held at the venue on January 26, 1976. An 8-8 record, then club best, was achieved in the 1980 season. Five Pro Bowlers represented the Saints franchise that year led by 1979 NFC MVP QB Archie Manning. A winning formula was finally realized in New Orleans when the 1987 club won a franchise best 12 games and narrowly lost out in its bid for the NFC Western Title. The first playoff appearance for the Saints involved a 44-10 rout of New Orleans by the Minnesota Vikings. The 1988 franchise followed the 12-3 season with a respectable 10-6 record.

Playoff births followed for the New Orleans Saints in 1990, a 8-8 record and wildcard loss to the Chicago Bears, and 1991 with their first ever division crown at 11-5. Unfortunately the NFL's top ranked defense was ousted 27-20 versus the Atlanta Falcons in their first playoff contest. In 1992 the Saints again won 12 games and netted a home Wildcard game. Again the Saints saw an early playoff exit with a come from behind win by the Philadelphia Eagles 36-20 at the Superdome.

Losing ways would become the norm for New Orleans Saints football for the next several years. Even the arrival of head coach Mike Ditka to the fray, the Saints could not post a winning record until the 2000 season. Ditka's 3-13 coaching record in 1999 led to his replacement in 2000 by current head coach Jim Haslett. The worst to first concept embraced Saints football in 2000 when Haslett turned the team around behind the brilliant play of RB Ricky Williams, WR Joe Horn, and DE Darren Howard. QB Aaron Brooks stepped to the plate for the injured QB Jeff Blake, leading the team to their 2nd ever NFC Western Division title. The 2000 playoffs saw the Saints win their first every post season game with a 31-28 victory over the wildcard St. Louis Rams. Minnesota ended the 2000 campaign with a 34-16 victory over the Saints in the NFC Divisional Playoff round at the Metrodome.

The 2004 New Orleans Saints feature the return of QB Aaron Brooks, Pro-bowl Running Back Duce McAllister and Wide Receiver Joe Horn, and special teams specialist Michael Lewis. The season begins with a home game versus the Seattle Seahawks on September 12, 2004 at Noon Central Time. New Orleans posted a 2-2 preseason record with victories over the New York Jets and Chicago Bears.

Views of the New Orleans Superdome during a Saints football game and from the Pontchartrain Expressway southbound. Photos taken by Andy Jung (2002) and AARoads June 2001. See more photos by Andy Jung at jungworld.com!

Directions to the New Orleans Superdome:

	From Interstate 10 (Pontchartrain Expressway) eastbound, utilize the U.S. 90 Business ramp (Exit 234A) to Claiborne Avenue (U.S. 90). A flyover ramp carries traffic from the Pontchartrain Expressway onto U.S. 90 (Claiborne Avenue) eastbound at both the New Orleans Arena and New Orleans Superdome. Photo taken 10/03.
	Interstate 10 westbound follows a six-lane viaduct north of the Vieux Carre and the central business district. Exit 235B for Canal Street serves the New Orleans Arena and Superdome via Claiborne Avenue (U.S. 90). U.S. 90 actually parallels Interstate 10 below the elevated highway and directly serves the homes of the New Orleans Saints and Hornets. Photo taken 03/02.
	When utilizing Claiborne Avenue (U.S. 90) westbound underneath Interstate 10, take the Poydras Street ramp to access the New Orleans Arena and New Orleans Superdome. U.S. 90 westbound itself elevates over Poydras and Perdido Streets so that there is no direct access to the sports venues. However by using the Poydras Street ramp, motorists can turn southward via Poydras Street or Perdido Street to Clara Street, Sugar Bowl Drive, and the stadium areas. Photo taken 10/03.

New Orleans Saints Tickets for Sale

New Orleans Superdome Seating Chart

New Orleans Area Road Links

• New Orleans @ SouthEastRoads.com
• I-49 South - Lafayette to New Orleans (Stephen Gantry)

Page Updated September 7, 2004.