“This electric atmosphere! Where else would you rather be?” said Demario Davis, one of the hosts of the Super Bowl LIX opening night and linebacker for the New Orleans Saints.

The opening night festivities, held on Feb. 3, showcased soul-stirring performances by the St. Augustine High School band and the Soul Rebels jazz band. Both teams playing in the Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, were in the building and added to the high energy of the evening, with both teams’ fans cheering, yelling, and applauding for their favorite teams. 

“We’re definitely going in with the mindset to win of course. That’s why we came out here, and Coach [Nick] Sirianni also said this is all a great experience, but you know, we came out here to play a football game and win a football game,” said Eli Ricks, cornerback for the Eagles.

While the Eagles are planning to play hard and leave it all on the field, according to Avon Maddox, veteran cornerback for the Eagles, the Chiefs are intent on their desire to make history as per Nezeeh Johnson, safety for the Chiefs. If the Chiefs take home the trophy on Sunday, Feb. 9, it would make them the first team in the history of the National Football League to successfully win three Super Bowl’s in a row, also known as a three-peat.

“I think this team just embodies so much unity and hard work and I really hope we can seal it off with a win. That would be incredible, but we’re just so excited to be here,” said Josie Euston, a Chiefs’ cheerleader.

This Super Bowl is the 11th Super Bowl to be held in New Orleans and the eighth to take place in the Caesars Superdome. This event will bring the entire world to the city of New Orleans and showcase the culture, people, and energy the city has to offer.

“We have such a great culture,” said Davis. “It just means a lot for everybody running a business here and that works here. It’s just going to mean so many more opportunities,” he emphasized.