The Sugar Bowl, originally scheduled for Wednesday in New Orleans, has been postponed after a driver rammed his truck into a group of New Year's revelers, killing at least 10 and injuring 35.
After initial reports suggested that the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game between the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs would go on as planned, organizers released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying the game would be pushed back a day, with kickoff now scheduled for Thursday at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Per ESPN sources, the Sugar Bowl will kick off tomorrow at 4 pm Eastern. https://t.co/oEjhIjGzDG
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 1, 2025
The suspect, who the FBI has identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar of Texas, drove his pickup truck into the Bourbon Street crowd early Wednesday morning; he was later killed in a firefight with police.
The Sugar Bowl is slated for the Caesars Superdome, located less than a mile away from the deadly attack. That venue will also host Super Bowl 59 on Feb. 9.
The NFL released a statement Wednesday, expressing condolences for those affected by the attacks and reinforcing that security will be a top priority for next month's Super Bowl:
— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2025
The Fighting Irish are a 1-point favorite for Thursday's rescheduled Sugar Bowl face-off with the Bulldogs, who opened as 1.5-point faves. The total has risen two points to 46.5.
How sportsbooks are handling the postponed game
Sportsbooks are taking differing approaches to how they will settle bets made on the now-postponed Sugar Bowl.
FanDuel released a statement following news of the postponement.
"Per House Rules, this rescheduling means all pending sportsbook bets and wagers will stand and remain active."
DraftKings is still in the process of determining how it will handle Notre Dame-Georgia bets.
Hi there, our team is currently looking into this and making a determination on how this will be handled. Please keep an eye out for any further updates on this!
— DraftKings CX Team (@DK_Assist) January 1, 2025
Chris Andrews, director at South Point, outlined what will happen to specific bets.
The Notre Dame-Georgia game has been postponed. All bets on game #273 & #274 are ‘no action.’ Straight bets on sides and totals are refunded. Parlays and teasers will be reduced accordingly. Both sides will be considered winners on the CFP Jackpot card ONLY.
— Chris Andrews (@andrewssports) January 1, 2025
All first half and prop bets are also refunded on the Sugar Bowl. Future bets stand. A new game is being set up. If you want action you will need to re-bet under the new betting numbers. https://t.co/Ca2HWE1d6B
— Chris Andrews (@andrewssports) January 1, 2025
Circa Sports and others are going a different route.
Our House Rules;
— Jeffrey Benson (@JeffreyBenson12) January 1, 2025
Games must be played within 8 days of the originally scheduled date for action.
Games are action regardless of location. https://t.co/1AjZ2IqbXl
The Sugar Bowl winner will go on to face the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions — who defeated No. 3 Boise State 31-14 in the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday — in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9.
