Media Relations Contacts
John Sudsbury, 504-828-2440, Cell 504-427-7076, johns@sugarbowl.org
Melissa Stoltz, 504-828-2440, melissas@sugarbowl.org
Apply for Credentials
Local and national media that plan to cover the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl regardless of participating teams may request prior to selection day (December 8). We ask team-specific media to wait until December 8 to apply. While the credential application will close on December 13, it will re-open the evening of the CFP First Round game in which the winner will advance to the Sugar Bowl. That window will close on Monday, December 23.
January 1, 2026 Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Media Schedule
Media Headquarters
Sheraton New Orleans
500 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
2026 Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Credential Pick-up at Media Hotel
Maurepas Room
Sunday, December 28, 2025: 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
Monday, December 29, 2025: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tuesday, December 30, 2025: 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Wednesday, December 31, 2025: 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
GAME DAY: Thursday, January 1, 2026: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Credentials will NOT be available for pickup at the Superdome on Game Day.
Superdome Security Phone: 504-587-3900
Superdome Media Layout (PDF)
Important Information for Specific Media Entities
Radio Stations
Television Stations
Writers
Photographers
Satellite Uplink Information
Important Media Documents
MEDIA GUIDELINES
All policies for the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl are subject to change.
Media Hotel
The Sheraton New Orleans is the media hotel. A reduced media rate of $253 per night (plus taxes and fees) has been secured for the 2026 Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl – rooms in the media hotel are requested through the media credential system at the same time as requesting credentials. The hotel is located at 500 Canal St., less than a mile from the Superdome.
The majority of the media opportunities will be at the hotel; those not at the hotel will be accessible by complimentary shuttle service, therefore rental cars are not essential (the hotel only has valet parking at approximately $54 per day). Complimentary internet will be available in the media work room and in the guest rooms. There will also be multiple complimentary meals at the media hotel.
Media Headquarters, Work and Hospitality Rooms and the Formal Press Conference Interview Rooms are located in the Sheraton. Credentials must be worn at all times.
Credential Pick-Up
Credential pick-up location is the Maurepas Room on the third floor of the Sheraton New Orleans.
Credentials may be picked up at the Media Hotel (see above for times). No credential changes or additions will be made 72 hours prior to the game. All credentials will have photos and a photo ID must be shown to pick up credentials. Media gifts will be distributed when you check in at the hotel only (not at the Superdome). If you didn't upload a photo during the online credential process, please be patient when you come for your credential as it will take added time to process.
Press Conferences
Media day (12/30) and the head coaches press conference (12/31) will be conducted in the Sheraton.
Please check the daily schedule of events for official times.
Audio and video for the head coaches press conference must be taken from the POOL FEED area. Television stations should make sure they have the necessary equipment to take these feeds (email John Sudsbury for specifics).
No television cameras, except for the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the television rights holder ESPN will be allowed in the interview room for the head coaches press conference (must take the feed).
Individual cameras and microphones should be used for media day interviews.
Media Work Area
The Media Work Area will be the same as the Press Conference Room. Most of this area will be set up school room style with COMPLIMENTARY wireless internet. The workroom 24 hours a day from December 29-31, and on Game Day (January 1) from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (closed during the game). All times subject to change.
DO NOT LEAVE EQUIPMENT UNATTENDED IN THE WORK ROOM. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST ITEMS.
Credentials are required at all times in the media areas in the hotel.
Materials provided by the schools as well as Sugar Bowl media information and changes to the agenda will be made available in the Media Work Area. All quotes and game-week notes will only be available online at www.AllstateSugarBowl.org. Check this site in advance to see what materials the Bowl will provide each day.
Media Hospitality Room
A Media Hospitality Area will be located in the Sheraton. The hospitality area will be opened daily from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. from 12/29-12/31 and will be closed during the game. Snacks and beverages will be available as well as interactive games. Meals will also be served in the hospitality room – check daily schedules for times. You must show your credential for access to the hospitality room; we cannot provide meals to family members and guests.
Media Meals
Breakfast will be served with vouchers in the second-floor restaurant (Roux Bistro). Other meals will be served in the hospitality room. The full meal schedule will be posted at the hotel.
Media Credentials
Media credentials must be worn at all times during press conferences, media day, practice sessions, and game day, as well as in the media hospitality room. DO NOT BRING MEDIA CREDENTIALS TO THE MEDIA PARTY.
Media Opportunities
Please refer to the Media Schedule for dates and times of press conferences. Any other media opportunities, such as the Allstate Sugar Bowl New Year's Eve Parade, will also be listed.
Media Services
The Allstate Sugar Bowl will have daily information, including quotes, updated on its website at www.AllstateSugarBowl.org.
We will not fax/email individual information to out-of-town media outlets. Out-of-town media may obtain information from our website.
Shuttle Service
There will be a free shuttle service from the media hotel to open team practices, the media party and the game itself. Hotel parking in New Orleans tends to be expensive; a rental car should not be necessary for official events. Please check the schedule daily to be aware of the most up-to-date departure times.
Practice Sites
Practice sites available for the Allstate Sugar Bowl are the Superdome, Tulane University and Saints Practice Facility. Shuttle service will be provided from the Sheraton to and from practice sites when there is media availability. A shuttle schedule will be posted at Media Headquarters.
Media Party
There will be an Allstate Sugar Bowl media party on December 30 at the Bourbon Vieux located at 503 Bourbon Street. A valid ticket for the event is required for entrance (requested online at the same time as game credentials). Shuttle service will be provided though it is only a half-mile walk. DO NOT BRING YOUR MEDIA CREDENTIAL TO THE MEDIA PARTY.
Post-Game Buffet
Following the Allstate Sugar Bowl, there will be a post-game media buffet in the Sheraton. The meal will be served from 12-2 a.m. Credential MUST be worn; the event is ONLY for credentialed media. Further information will be provided at Media Headquarters.
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is a very popular holiday in New Orleans. For media hoping for a nice dinner, there are many restaurants within walking distance of the media hotel, as well as ample cabs/Lyft/Uber. However, advanced reservations are recommended. The hotel concierge can be of assistance. For the adventurous types, the French Quarter is only a short walk – and is sure to provide entertainment.
GAME DAY
Media Entrance/Will Call
Credentialed media may enter the Superdome at Gate G Ground beginning at 3 p.m. Gate G Ground is located on the ground level of Garage 6. When being dropped off by the media shuttle, media will need to walk about 1,000 feet (including two small staircases). We will have people to assist with equipment if necessary. If you have any mobility issues or concerns with the walk, let us know and we will provide assistance.
There will NOT be a media will call for credential pickup at the Superdome. Credentialed media must pick up their credentials at the Sheraton.
Parking
There is no media parking at the Superdome. Members of the media are encouraged to take the Media Shuttle to and from the Superdome before and after the game.
Pre-Game Meal
A pre-game meal will be served in the West Bunker Suite (between Elevators 7 and 8) located on the ground level of the Superdome (not in the press box) for all media members.
Press Box
The main press box in the Superdome is located at the top level. Media members can use Elevator 16 or 17 to get to the press box (take to level 7). In addition, the press box is located in the path of the air conditioning vents for the building – dress warmly.
Press Box Services
3rd Floor Television Area – Network TV ONLY
7th Floor Press Area – Writers, Radio and non-network TV
Field Level – Media Dining, Digital Workroom, Auxiliary Workroom, Interview Areas
Members of the Allstate Sugar Bowl Committee and staff will be on hand in the 7th Floor Press Areas, Field Level press warehouse, workrooms and interview areas to assist with your questions and needs.
Seating charts are located near the elevators and inside the press area. They will also be posted in the media hotel in the days leading up to the game.
All media seats in the 7th floor press box will have a game program and flip card.
Print media will have the option of working in the Northwest Warehouse on the field level. Unassigned seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
All photographers and videographers can pick up photo vests and flip cards at the photographer check-in point located at the NW field entrance.
Live statistics are available online (no statistics will be passed out during the game). Post-game quotes and final books will be emailed as soon as possible at the conclusion of the game.
Trophy presentations to the winning team will be held on the field. The team post-game press conferences are conducted in the interview warehouse, with a video feed to the 7th floor press area.
Credentialed media, with the exception of ENG crews, will be allowed on the sideline in a restricted area during the last five minutes of the game.
ENG Camera Crews
Per College Football Playoff policy, local ENG cameras will NOT be allowed on the field during the game. The ESPN feed will be available for recording in the Press Conference Warehouse. Television personnel without assigned seats in the press box can use the Media Work Room on the ground level to work during the game. All cameras and television crews will be allowed to return to the field at the end of the game (0:00 on the clock) for interviews and live reports.
No Video Cameras in Locker Rooms
Videography will not be permitted in the locker room after the game. This includes videography with cameras, phones, tablets and any other video recording devices. No live transmission of video, social streaming or live audio from the locker room will be permitted during the open locker room session. We will bring a minimum of four top players into a separate area for postgame on-camera interviews.
Internet Access
Free hard-wire (and wireless) internet access is available in the 7th Floor Press Box areas, as well as the digital workroom on the field level, compliments of the Allstate Sugar Bowl. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN ETHERNET CABLE TO PLUG IN. If you have trouble logging on, please ask an Allstate Sugar Bowl Press Box representative for assistance.
Post-Game
The following guidelines have been established by the College Football Playoff to be followed for the media events of the Allstate Sugar Bowl:
There will be a 10-minute cooling off period for the runner-up team before the head coach and two players appear at the post-game press conference. The winning team will be entitled to a 20-minute cooling off period. The winning team's cooling off period will begin after the conclusion of the trophy presentation. The locker rooms will be open to the media for 20 minutes following the cooling off period, but only AFTER requested players depart for the formal interview areas.
Interview Rooms & Access (all availability happens after cooling off periods)
Keep in mind that each team will have three simultaneous interview opportunities:
- Head coach and two players on the main platform of the interview warehouse area (media takes official feed).
- Four-to-five players in a breakout interview room (no feed, individual cameras allowed).
- All remaining players and coaches are available in the open locker room for 20 minutes.
We will play the post-game interview sessions from the interview warehouse on a feed on the television monitors in the main press box.
A stenography service will provide a full transcript of both formal postgame press conferences – this will be emailed to all media as soon as available.
A "multi box" will be located in the back of the interview area for audio feeds and video feeds (must bring correct connectors for feed).
The press box and workrooms will remain open until 2 a.m. The Media Hospitality Room at the media hotel will be open after the game and a post-game buffet will be served in the hospitality room until 2 a.m.
4/23/25
