New Orleans is ready for Taylor Swift.
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Caesars Superdome has been dressed up with a giant friendship bracelet to greet Swift ahead of her 3-night concert beginning Friday.
New Orleans’ Saints posted several photos of the blow-up friendship bracelet hung at their entrance and wrote: “A welcome for Taylor.”
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Fans took to the comments section to praise the special welcome, with one person writing: “Good day to be a swiftie saints fan.”
Another added: “Not a Swift fan, but for everyone freaking out, she is playing a concert in the dome. Not the worst thing to bring lots of visitors and money to the city.”
A third said: “The most success the superdome will see this year hoping the concert is everything and more for the swifties!”:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(519x0:521x2):format(webp)/NOLA-stadium-taylor-swift-102424-7331e0b7dea0438b8230ff9e973f7975.jpg)
Fans of the NFL team were not pleased, though, with one writing: “We’ve lost 5 straight and y’all welcoming Taylor Swift.”
Another penned: “Someone go tear that s— down,” as a third fumed: “Tf is yall welcoming her for.”
Louisiana state authorities have also revealed that they’ve relocated a large number of homeless encampments near the Superdome on Wednesday, citing preparations for upcoming Swift concerts and Super Bowl LIX.
The operation affects approximately 75 individuals living beneath an overpass, who are being moved two blocks away.
The action came as the city prepares to welcome an estimated 150,000 Swift fans for three-weekend performances.
Governor Jeff Landry’s office defended the decision through a spokesperson who emphasized the city’s need to “put its best foot forward when on the world stage.”
The spokesperson later clarified that only “the most dangerous blocks” where safety concerns exist are being affected.
The sudden timing of the relocation sparked controversy among local officials and advocates.
City Council member Lesli Harris expressed surprise at the Wednesday morning operation, stating they had been informed it would occur Thursday.
Martha Kegel, executive director of Unity of Greater New Orleans, criticized the move as unnecessary and potentially damaging to ongoing efforts to secure permanent housing for the affected individuals.
“Some people were frightened and left,” Kegel said.
Terrence Cobbins, one of the encampment’s residents, questioned the motivation behind the relocation.
“They ain’t never did it before for other people,” he said. “Why Taylor Swift?”
The relocation extends beyond the Superdome area, with officials confirming that homeless individuals in the historic French Quarter will also be moved to the same location.
City Council President Helena Moreno called for improved coordination between state and city authorities in addressing homelessness.
Advocates emphasized that better planning could have achieved the state’s objectives more humanely.
Neither Swift’s representatives nor NFL officials, who selected New Orleans for the 2025 Super Bowl, have commented on the encampment’s relocation.
