If you’re walking down Poydras Street right now looking for a massive tailgate or the roar of a crowd coming from the Caesars Superdome, you might notice things are a little quieter than usual. Honestly, it’s a bit of a weird lull. People always assume there’s a game happening in this city—especially in January—but if you're asking what football game is in new orleans today, the short answer is: none.
I know, it’s a letdown. Especially since New Orleans basically lives and breathes football from August until the last bead drops at Mardi Gras. But today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, the turf in the Superdome is empty.
Why the Caesars Superdome is Quiet Today
The New Orleans Saints wrapped up their 2025-2026 regular season about two weeks ago. It wasn't the year fans were dreaming of. They finished 6-11, landing them in fourth place in the NFC South. Because of that record, they didn't clinch a playoff spot, which is why there's no NFL action in town this weekend.
We just missed the big college excitement, too. The Allstate Sugar Bowl went down on New Year's Day. It was a wild CFP Quarterfinal where Ole Miss took down Georgia 39-34. If you were here two weeks ago, the city was vibrating. Today? It's mostly just tourists grabbing beignets and locals talking about the "reserve/future" contracts the Saints just signed, like the one for defensive end Myles Cole.
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The NFL Playoff Gap
The NFL is currently in the middle of the postseason, but they don't play on Thursdays during the playoffs. The Wild Card round ended this past Monday with the Steelers and Texans. We are currently in the "waiting room" for the Divisional Round.
If you're looking for football to watch on TV today while you're hanging out in the French Quarter, you're out of luck there, too. There is no Thursday Night Football tonight. The league saves the drama for the weekend. Here is what the actual upcoming schedule looks like for the games that will be happening (just not in New Orleans):
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (3:30 PM CST)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (7:00 PM CST)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (2:00 PM CST)
- Sunday, Jan 18: LA Rams at Chicago Bears (5:30 PM CST)
What to Do in New Orleans Instead of Football
Since the question of what football game is in new orleans today has a "zero" for an answer, you might be wondering what else is going on. New Orleans never actually stops. If you’re a sports fan and you’re in town right now, you should probably head over to the Fair Grounds Race Course. They have live horse racing today starting around 12:45 PM. It’s a different kind of gambling and adrenaline, but it fills the void.
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Also, the New Orleans Pelicans just played the Brooklyn Nets last night at the Smoothie King Center. The NBA is in full swing even if the NFL has left the building.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Saints Season
Even though there's no game today, the city is already obsessing over the 2026 opponents that were just finalized. Since the Saints finished last in the division, they actually have a "last-place" schedule for next year, which might be the silver lining we need.
They’re slated to play seven games against teams with brand-new head coaches next season, including the Falcons, Cardinals, and Raiders. The hope is that rookie QB Tyler Shough, who showed some real flashes of talent at the end of this season, can take a leap forward. He's actually a finalist for the NFL Rookie of the Year award right now, which is pretty much the only thing Saints fans are cheering for this week.
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Actionable Advice for Fans in the City
If you were hoping to catch a game, don't just sit in your hotel room. Here is how to handle a "no football" day in NOLA:
- Visit the Champions Square: Even without a game, it's a cool spot to see the statues and soak in the Saints history right outside the stadium.
- Find a Sports Bar: Head to Manning’s on Fulton Street or The Avenue Pub. Even if there’s no live game, the sports talk in these places is elite, and you’ll find people breaking down the upcoming Divisional Round matchups.
- Check the Pelicans Schedule: They have another home game coming up soon against the Detroit Pistons on January 21.
- Go to the Fair Grounds: As mentioned, if you need live competition today, the ponies are your best bet.
It’s easy to get confused with the dates, especially since New Orleans hosted the Super Bowl just last year. But for today, January 15, the city is taking a breather. Keep your eyes on the NFL Divisional Round starting this Saturday to get your football fix.
To stay ahead of the curve for the next time there is a game, you can check the official Caesars Superdome calendar or the New Orleans Saints mobile app, which usually updates with stadium events and off-season fan fests about a month in advance.