City of New Orleans Prepares for NCAA Men’s Final Four, National Championship, and the March Madness Music Festival

Mayor Cantrell, City of New Orleans Prepare for NCAA Men’s Final Four, National Championship, and the March Madness Music Festival

NEW ORLEANS—Today, Mayor Cantrell and City officials announced public safety measures in place ahead of the NCAA Men’s Final Four, National Championship, and the March Madness Music Festival, which are expected to bring a large number of visitors to New Orleans. Residents are encouraged to prepare for heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic and to celebrate safely throughout the weekend.

"New Orleans is excited and prepared to host the NCAA Men’s Final Four for the sixth time in the City's history. Because our people stayed the course and followed our health and safety guidelines, the City is well-equipped to host what will be the largest major sporting event to take place in New Orleans in quite some time," said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "A safe and successful Final Four weekend depends on safe celebrations and preparation, and our public safety teams are ready and able to once again welcome tens of thousands of beloved college basketball fans back to the Caesars Superdome. We encourage both our residents and visitors to 'know before you go,' and we look forward to hosting the NCAA Final Four once again in the near future."

The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) is fully committed to ensuring that this national event have the full support of all public agencies. In response, NOHSEP will be activating the Event Command Post from Friday, April 1 to Monday, April 4 in support of the NCAA Men’s Final Four and related events. NOHSEP will also be in constant contact with representatives from the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the State’s Fusion Center throughout the weekend’s events. 

In anticipation of the increase of visitors to our city, Orleans Parish Communication District (OPCD) will be activating Level 2 staffing. Level 2 will begin at 7 a.m. Friday, April 1 and end 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 6. As a reminder, call 9-1-1 for emergencies, and 3-1-1 for non-emergencies.

Traffic Restrictions and No Parking Zones

The primary locations of events are game and related activities at Caesars Superdome, Champions Square, Men's Final Four Fan Fest Open at the Morial Convention Center, and March Madness Music Festival at Woldenberg Park. Expect heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic and delays, and use caution when traveling in those areas.

In anticipation of large crowds, the New Orleans Police Department may restrict traffic to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

The following No Parking Zones will be in place starting Friday, April 1 at 4:00 p.m. through Tuesday, April 5 at 6:00 a.m.:

• 700 and 800 blocks between Dauphine St and Royal St on both sides of the following streets:
  • Iberville St.
  • Bienville St.
  • Conti St.
  • St Louis St.
  • Toulouse St.
  • St. Peter St.
  • Orleans St.
  • St. Ann St.
• Both sides of Canal St. from Claiborne Ave. to Convention Center Blvd.

Residents and visitors are reminded to always follow posted signs. Parking enforcement personnel will be monitoring for illegal parking.

• Do not block or park within 15 feet fire hydrants, block or park within 3 feet of driveways, block sidewalks, or park in fire lanes.
• Do not park in bike lanes.
• Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk, intersection, or stop sign.
• Call 504-658-8100 for 24 hour parking enforcement. 

Schedule of Events

For more information about events this weekend, visit the NCAA Men’s Final Four website.

Safety Reminders 

As always during major special events, residents and visitors are encouraged to take care in large crowds and to report suspicious activity to public safety officials.

Details on special events are available at ready.nola.gov/events. Residents and visitors are also encouraged to follow us on social media @nolaready and sign up for emergency alerts. Residents should text NOLAREADY to 77295 to sign up for emergency alerts.