nobody asked: sports arenas as cultural epicenters

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the role major venues play in shaping the cultural identity of place.

In an era of technology at our fingertips, we have seen the transformation of space and gathering places within our cities and communities. People are exploring the outside world through entertainment and the internet, rather than finding space in informal public settings or “third spaces”. Communities have seen closures and declines in spaces intended to harbor the social infrastructures of communities: the places we gather outside of work and our homes to relax, socialize, connect, express ourselves, support one another, and develop a sense of belonging. 

With one exception…sports arenas. 

In contrast to most US-based public spaces, the culture of fandom has been on the rise. We have seen nearly every event imaginable adopting the fan fest model because it is a powerful representation of social interaction and support. Fandom creates vibrant communities of self-expression and community building. 

New Orleans is an infamous city for its hospitality, food, music, art, and tradition of gathering. There is a huge opportunity to support local bars, restaurants, and culturally focused non-profits by making these spaces community epicenters. 

What if New Orleans' arenas became true cultural epicenters for the city in addition to sports and entertainment venues?

This model exists elsewhere (Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, San Francisco’s Chase Center, LA’s Intuit Dome, and more), and it works. It drives attendance, builds loyalty, strengthens local pride, and creates shared economic value. For a city that thrives on culture, community, and creativity…the opportunity in New Orleans feels even greater.

Champions Square is the home to the Caesars Superdome and Smoothie King Center, which host hundreds of events each year. It's home to the Saints and the Pelicans (respectively), two organizations with deep roots and enormous influence in our community that also share a single owner.  There's an obvious opportunity for Champions Square; however, the in-arena experiences do not reflect the depth of New Orleans culture we’re known for in food, music, art, or hospitality.

Imagine if any fan, both tourist and local, could go to a game and experience: 

• Local bars and restaurants featured as concessions 

• Art installations and creative programming powered by New Orleans residents and organizations 

• Support workforce development partnerships and grant programs tied to the local hospitality programs, and the consulting provided by the local businesses and organizations that showcase our communities

  
  

This idea does not require replacing existing operational organizations; rather, it could better integrate our community to advise, curate, and shape the guest experience to create a circular economy that directly benefits the people and organizations that make New Orleans, New Orleans.

What would it look like if New Orleans’ major venues became platforms for cultural preservation, workforce development, and meaningful community investment?

Sports loyalty is emotional, generational, and communal. It is also deeply influenced by reciprocity cycles – when organizations give something of value, fans respond with increased trust, loyalty, and participation.

1. The psychology of fandom runs on belonging.

   Sports are more than a mode of entertainment; they are agents of fictive kinship tying together community, collective solace, identity, and punctuated by ritual.

2. Reciprocity drives behavior.

   With unexpected value, fans “return the favor” with increased attendance, higher engagement, and positive word-of-mouth. The arena experiences become stories that lead to active curiosity, engaged exploration, and repeat tourism within the multifaceted landscape of New Orleans.

3. Community-based consumerism amplifies goodwill.

   New Orleans is a city built on community ties. By creating mechanisms for direct impact on the city’s businesses, organizations, and culture-bearers, ownership, state and city government, and operators signal that these spaces are invested in growing with its community, not just selling to it.

4. It improves the broadcast product.

   A well-curated community space generates a positive feedback loop: increased visibility leads to increased attendance, which reinforces loyalty.

5. It unlocks new touchpoints for sales teams.

   The experience becomes the sales engine, driving interest in booking opportunities, creating healthy relationships that benefit season-ticket holder retention, and, ultimately, the result – continuous nurturing and investment in the overarching system of reciprocity between the city, arenas, and fans.

In a city like New Orleans, where community is everything, investing in fan experience isn’t just a tactic – it’s a relationship.

I’d love to connect with others working at the intersection of sports, culture, and community engagement. There’s so much potential in rethinking how teams show appreciation and how fans respond when they feel genuinely valued.