Late last week, The Shrine On Airline in New Orleans was approved for some major renovations. Currently a baseball stadium, The Shrine will be transforming into a more traditional rectangular field moving forward.
Development: The Shrine in New Orleans has been approved for $15 million in renovations, per @FOX8NOLA.
Kyle France (District Chairman) says conversations have already been held with the #USFL regarding a potential future partnership.
Renovations don't begin until late 2024. pic.twitter.com/xpJHR0FEuk
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) November 15, 2023
According to FOX 8 NOLA, the Jefferson Parish Council has approved $15 million in renovations for The Shrine. In addition, the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District is looking to garner about $10-15 million of their own to put towards these renovations.
This is important news for the city of New Orleans, for more reasons than one. Currently, the stadium is used by the Rugby team (NOLA Gold), and has also hosted various high school football games.
Impact For The New Orleans Breakers
Councilman Deano Bonano says that the goal is to attract professional sporting events to the arena.
“One of the goals is to make The Shrine a venue that can compete with other stadiums region-wide by attracting local festivals, tournaments and even some professional sporting events. The ample parking space, access to Airline Highway and the proximity of LaSalle Park will all tie into the push to make the Shrine on Airline a premier venue, even for its neighbor – the New Orleans Saints.”
Kyle France – Chairman of the LSED – reports that the USFL has already been in contact with The Shrine to discuss a potential future partnership:
“We have had conversations with a number of different entities, USL soccer league, USFL football league.”
The New Orleans Breakers have played in Birmingham for the last two seasons, serving as one of the “hub teams” in the USFL. Currently, all signs point to New Orleans playing a similar role in season three, no matter what ultimately happens with the USFL-XFL merger.
With that being said, The Shrine being approved for these renovations is excellent news for Breakers fans. The venue is set to see the project begin in late 2024. Considering the USFL is already in conversations with The Shrine, it is possible that we see an official partnership come in 2025, or 2026.
they’re renovating the stadium it’s literally in the post 😑 this is what the stadium will like or something similar pic.twitter.com/YSya9mH5zw
— bear down (@bearrrdowwn) November 15, 2023
Spring football typically thrives in stadiums that are on a smaller scale. Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium is a perfect example, as it’s looked excellent on TV for the past two USFL Championships in Canton. Audi Field in DC, which is used for the XFL’s Defenders, always has an electrifying atmosphere as well.
Final Thoughts
While it’s unlikely to see the Breakers in New Orleans in 2024, this is an excellent step in the right direction for the league’s future. Clearly, the goal has always been for the USFL to get their teams into their home markets. The organization does things at a pace that focuses on longevity and success, which is why the USFL is priming themselves for a third season.
With The Shrine on Airline set for renovations to begin next year, the new and improved venue could end up being the home for the New Orleans Breakers down the road.
What are your thoughts on The Shrine being utilized by the USFL? Should the league look at other venues in the area? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
