All week we have been counting down the Top 50 Greatest Sports Moments in Superdome History, in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the Dome on August 3.
Last week we covered moments #50-40, #40-31, #30-21
Top 50 Greatest Sports Moments in Superdome History (50-41) – Magnolia Coast Sports
Top 50 Greatest Sports Moments in Superdome History (40-31) – Magnolia Coast Sports
Top 50 Greatest Sports Moments in Superdome History – Day 3: 30-21 – Magnolia Coast Sports
After a few days off over the week, we are picking back up on the countdown (#20-#10) to the number one greatest moment in Superdome History.
#20 — NBA Attendance Record Set as the New Orleans Jazz host the Philadelphia 76’ers (Feb 8, 1977)
On February 9, 1977, the Superdome hosted one of the most memorable regular-season games in NBA history, drawing a then-record crowd of 35,077 fans to watch the New Orleans Jazz battle the Philadelphia 76ers. It was a duel of basketball legends — the hometown hero “Pistol” Pete Maravich, already a larger-than-life figure in the Dome, put on a masterclass performance with 49 points, dazzling the crowd with his trademark ball-handling and deep shooting. Across the court, the Sixers were led by the high-flying Julius “Dr. J” Erving, whose style and grace made him one of the league’s most electrifying stars. The night wasn’t just about the scoreboard — it was a statement that professional basketball could fill the massive Superdome with an atmosphere as thrilling as any sport in New Orleans.
#19 — 2003 Final Four (Syracuse, Kansas, Texas, Marquette) (April 5-7, 2003)
The 2003 NCAA Men’s Final Four brought March Madness to the Superdome for the fourth time. The national semifinals featured the Kansas Jayhawks defeating the Marquette Golden Eagles in dominant fashion, while the Syracuse Orange, led by sensational freshman Carmelo Anthony, edged past the Texas Longhorns. In the championship game, Anthony delivered a performance for the ages, scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to guide Syracuse to an 81–78 victory over Kansas, securing the school’s first-ever national title. The Superdome crowd witnessed the coronation of a one-and-done legend, as “Melo” cemented his place in college basketball history on the sport’s biggest stage. Melo would go on to have a 19 year career in the NBA as a 10 time All-Star.
#18 — 1983 Sugar Bowl (#2 Penn State vs. #1 Georgia) (Jan 1, 1983)
Superdome was the stage for the national championship as No. 2 Penn State faced unbeaten No. 1 Georgia in the 49th Sugar Bowl. In front of more than 77,000 fans, the Nittany Lions seized control early, with quarterback Todd Blackledge connecting on big plays, including a 47-yard touchdown strike to Gregg Garrity that became one of the game’s defining moments. Penn State’s defense, led by All-American linebacker Walker Lee Ashley, contained Georgia star Herschel Walker, holding the Heisman Trophy winner without a touchdown despite his 102 rushing yards. The Lions built a 27–17 lead in the fourth quarter and fended off Georgia’s late push to secure the victory — and with it, their first national title under head coach Joe Paterno. The win not only capped a landmark season for Penn State but also cemented the Superdome’s reputation as a home for college football’s biggest games.
#17 — 1993 Final Four (North Carolina, Michigan, Kansas, Kentucky) (April 3-5, 1993)
From April 3-5, 1993 the Superdome hosted the NCAA Men’s Final Four, drawing a record-setting crowd to see one of college basketball’s most iconic teams take the stage. The Michigan Wolverines’ famed “Fab Five” — sophomores Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson — returned to the Final Four for a second straight year, defeating Kentucky in an overtime thriller to reach the championship game. Waiting for them were the North Carolina Tar Heels, led by coach Dean Smith and forward Eric Montross. In a tense national title showdown, the game was decided in the final seconds when Webber famously called a timeout Michigan didn’t have, resulting in a technical foul. North Carolina hit the ensuing free throws to seal a 77–71 victory, capturing Smith’s second championship and leaving the Fab Five with a legacy as unforgettable as it was unfinished.
#16 — 1993 Sugar Bowl (#2 Alabama vs. #1 Miami) (Jan 1, 1993)
Superdome was electric for the 59th Sugar Bowl, a true national championship clash between No. 1 Miami and No. 2 Alabama. The defending champion Hurricanes entered with swagger, riding a 29-game winning streak and led by quarterback Gino Torretta, the newly crowned Heisman Trophy winner. But it was Gene Stallings’ Crimson Tide who dominated from the opening whistle, unleashing a ferocious defense that intercepted Torretta three times and kept Miami’s high-powered offense out of sync all night. Running back Derrick Lassic paced Alabama’s offense with 135 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while George Teague’s unforgettable strip and return on a deep pass to Lamar Thomas became an instant Sugar Bowl classic. Alabama rolled to a 34–13 victory, securing its first national title since the Bear Bryant era and delivering a statement win that snapped Miami’s dynasty run in emphatic fashion.
#15 — 2007 NFC Divisional Playoffs (Saints vs. Eagles) (Jan 13, 2007)
On January 13, 2007, the Superdome roared like never before as the Saints, in just their first playoff run since returning from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 27–24 in the NFC Divisional Playoff. Running backs Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush powered the offense, with McAllister delivering a career-defining performance — rushing for 143 yards, catching a touchdown pass, and bulldozing through Eagles defenders for a score that became an instant franchise highlight. The Saints overcame an early deficit, feeding off the deafening energy of the Dome crowd, and sealed the victory when the defense stopped Philadelphia on a critical fourth down late in the fourth quarter. The win sent New Orleans to its first-ever NFC Championship Game, marking a turning point in the team’s history and further solidifying the bond between the Saints and their city.
#14 — 2000 Sugar Bowl (#2 Virginia Tech vs. #1 Florida State) (Jan 4, 2000)
The 2000 Sugar Bowl, played on January 4, 2000, doubled as the BCS National Championship and delivered one of the most electrifying title games in Superdome history. The matchup pitted No. 1 Florida State, led by quarterback Chris Weinke and wide receiver Peter Warrick, against No. 2 Virginia Tech and their dynamic redshirt freshman quarterback Michael Vick. Vick’s dazzling runs and improvisational play helped the Hokies rally from a 21-point deficit to briefly take the lead in the third quarter, stunning the Seminoles and the crowd. But Florida State’s experience and firepower proved too much, as Warrick scored three total touchdowns and the Seminoles pulled away for a 46-29 victory, securing head coach Bobby Bowden’s second national championship. The game is remembered not only for its high stakes, but for introducing Vick’s electric talent to a national audience and capping Florida State’s wire-to-wire No. 1 season.
#13 — Super Bowl XLVII (Ravens vs. 49’ers) (Feb 3, 2013)
Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome pitted the Baltimore Ravens against the San Francisco 49ers in a clash that quickly became one of the most memorable title games in NFL history. The Ravens, led by veteran linebacker Ray Lewis in his final game, raced to a 28–6 lead early in the third quarter after New Orleans native Jacoby Jones returned the second-half kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown — a Super Bowl record. Moments later, a partial power outage in the Superdome halted play for 34 minutes, giving the 49ers new life. San Francisco, stormed back to pull within five points late in the fourth quarter, but Baltimore’s defense held firm in the red zone, sealing a 34–31 victory. The win gave quarterback Joe Flacco Super Bowl MVP honors and marked the Ravens’ second championship, while the blackout added an unforgettable twist to the Superdome’s storied legacy.
#12 — 2022 Final Four (Kansas, North Carolina, Duke, Villanova) (April 2-4, 2022)
Superdome hosted one of the most anticipated Final Fours in NCAA history, headlined by a long-awaited first-ever NCAA Tournament meeting between blue blood rivals North Carolina and Duke. In what would be the final game of legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski’s career, the Tar Heels outlasted the Blue Devils 81–77 in a back-and-forth thriller that had the Dome crowd on edge until the final buzzer. The other semifinal saw Kansas rally from an early deficit to defeat Villanova 81–65 behind the hot shooting of Ochai Agbaji. Two nights later, Kansas completed the largest comeback in national championship game history, erasing a 16-point deficit to beat North Carolina 72–69, capturing the Jayhawks’ fourth NCAA title. The weekend was a celebration of college basketball tradition, with the Superdome once again serving as the perfect backdrop for the sport’s biggest stage.
#11 — Super Bowl XX (Patriots vs. Bears) (Jan 26, 1986
Led by head coach Mike Ditka and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, the Bears’ ferocious “46 Defense” smothered the New England Patriots from the opening whistle, forcing turnovers and delivering punishing hits. Chicago quarterback Jim McMahon managed the offense efficiently, while running back Walter Payton — playing in his only Super Bowl — provided steady production despite being held out of the end zone. The spotlight, however, belonged to defensive end Richard Dent, who earned MVP honors for his relentless pass rush that set the tone in a 46-10 rout. Adding to the spectacle was the unforgettable moment when 325-pound defensive tackle William “The Refrigerator” Perry rumbled into the end zone for a touchdown, sealing a Bears performance that has since become synonymous with defensive excellence and 1980s NFL lore.
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