U.S. Gymnastics National Championships helping grow New Orleans into sports mecca

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Making New Orleans a sports Mecca is one of the main missions of Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero and 2025 is already helping Cicero’s cause.

Back in February, the Superdome played host to Super Bowl LIX. Just last month. UFC 318 happened at the Blender, and for the first time in 30 years, the USA National Gymnastics Championships is making its return to New Orleans.

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All these events happening in succession is helping show off how versatile New Orleans can be as a sports city.

“Well, the Sports Foundation is really proud to have played major roles. Obviously in the Super Bowl, being the staff and being the managing partner. USC 318 was a huge success. We didn’t know how big it was going to be, and then now to have USA gymnastics here with their national championships, just three weeks later; as well as having, Drew Brees and Pickle Ball Fest down to the convention center on the same weekend. All these events, we love managing them. We love bringing them to New Orleans,” Cicero said.

However, New Orleans can thank Baton Rouge for the return of gymnastics, specifically the Bayou Bengals.

LSU has had sellout crowds at the Smoothie King Center, during both the 2019 and 2024 SEC championships, and both Cicero and the USA gymnastics CEO highlight how the Purple and Gold are impacting gymnastics in Louisiana.

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“10,000 people at each one, which are record crowds for the SEC Championships. I don’t think if the success that they have had, leading to the success of the SEC championships, that we would be able to attract this event to New Orleans,” Cicero continued.

“We all know how popular LSU gymnastics is, here in the city and in Louisiana, and gymnastics is one of those sports that continues to grow, not only at the grassroots level, but also at the collegiate level,” USA Gymnastics President and CEO Li Li Leung added.

Plus, gymnastics return to New Orleans is also a full circle moment for international sports. The last time the city hosted the USA National Gymnastics Champions is also the last time the United States hosted the Summer Olympics.

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