by: Bee Delores
Last Updated: September 23, 2024
6 min read
6 min read
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Hey, country music lovers and college football fans!
We were all set for an epic Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff this year in New Orleans on August 31, but the event’s been canceled out of the blue, and nobody’s saying why.
So, what’s the deal? Stick around for all the details and what this might mean for the festival’s future.
The excitement was palpable for music and football fans alike as the 2024 Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff promised to be the ultimate prelude to the college football season.
Scheduled to take place on August 31 at the iconic Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, this year’s event was set to feature a star-studded lineup, including Eric Church, Thomas Rhett, Jon Pardi, and Ashley McBryde.
But, in a surprising turn of events, the eagerly anticipated kickoff has been abruptly canceled , leaving fans both puzzled and disappointed.
The Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff had quickly become a highlight on the summer festival calendar.
With a lineup boasting some of country music’s biggest names, anticipation was high.
Eric Church, known for his powerful performances and hit-filled discography, was slated to headline the event.
Joining him were Thomas Rhett, whose infectious tunes have won over fans nationwide; Jon Pardi, with his modern take on classic country; and Ashley McBryde, whose raw and relatable songwriting has garnered widespread acclaim.
For many fans, this was not just a concert but a chance to experience a unique blend of country music and college football spirit in one of America’s most vibrant cities.
Despite the excitement, the festival’s future came into question when a notice appeared on Ticketmaster indicating that the 2024 Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff had been canceled.
The announcement, which appeared on August 7, was as abrupt as it was vague. The statement simply read: “Unfortunately, the Event Organizer has had to cancel your event.”
As of August 8, the event’s official Instagram page remained unchanged from its last update in late June, failing to acknowledge the cancellation.
Fans took to social media to voice their confusion and frustration.
One user posted, “Why did the concert get canceled? How about an update ?” But, without an official explanation from the organizers, the reasons behind the cancellation remain unclear.
For those who had purchased tickets, Ticketmaster has assured that refunds will be processed to the original payment method within 14 to 21 days.
While this provides some relief, it doesn’t address the larger questions surrounding the event’s future.
The 2024 Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff was intended to build on the success of its inaugural year.
Last year’s event, which featured Garth Brooks, Lainey Wilson, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, was widely celebrated and set a high bar for this year’s edition.
The sudden cancellation casts doubt on whether this year’s event will be rescheduled or if future iterations of the Country Kickoff will even take place.
Without an official statement or further details, fans are left to speculate about the event’s future. Will the Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff return in 2025?
If so, will it maintain the same lineup and format, or will changes be made?
The lack of communication from the organizers has left many in the dark, adding to the overall disappointment.
For now, fans can only wait and hope for a resolution.
In the meantime, they can expect their refunds to arrive soon, and keep an eye out for any updates from the event organizers.
If the Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff does make a comeback, it will be interesting to see how it rebuilds and if it can recapture the excitement that surrounded its first two years.
The Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff started in 2023 as a fun way to kick off the college football season. It was set up by Russell Doussan, a longtime concert industry pro and former member of the Sugar Bowl committee.
The first event was a big hit, with Garth Brooks performing at the Superdome, along with Lainey Wilson and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Over 50,000 fans came out to see Brooks, who only did one other show outside Las Vegas last year. The Superdome could hold about 75,000 people for that show thanks to the special stage setup.
Eric Church was supposed to headline this year’s event. He last performed in New Orleans in April 2022 at the Smoothie King Center, using a similar stage setup that lets fans see from all around the arena.
The 2024 Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff also planned to include the NewOrleans.com Tailgate Town, an interactive football fan area in Champions Square, sponsored by New Orleans & Company.
The money from the concert was meant to support the Allstate Sugar Bowl’s community programs, which help with things like youth events, scholarships, and improving teacher recruitment and retention.
Here’s a concise info table on the main details of the Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff event:
Event Detail | Information |
---|---|
Event Name | Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff |
Inaugural Year | 2023 |
Founder | Russell Doussan |
Purpose of Proceeds | Support community programs like youth events, scholarships, and teacher recruitment/retention |
Lover of hiking, biking, horror movies, cats and camping. Writer at Wide Open Country, Holler and Nashville Gab.
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