THE BAYOU HOUSES A DIVERSE ARRAY OF FASCINATING FLORA AND FAUNA AS WELL AS A HIDDEN PATCH OF TOP-OF-THE-LINE SPORTS FIELDS AND FACILITIES

As part of the Greater New Orleans Region, Jefferson Parish is the second-most populous parish in the state of Louisiana. Named in honor of U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, the area has a long and storied history, one which includes a rebirth after the horrific flooding of Hurricane Katrina. Today Jefferson Parish is home to a nationally-protected area and two state parks, where its teeming wildlife mixes with a diverse population who celebrate the region’s history and flair arts, music and sports.

With such close proximity to New Orleans it should come as no surprise that Jefferson Parish features many state-of-the-art athletic facilities, with a wide range of sports represented. If you’re in town for a tournament or an event, consider a stay at any of the nearby fantastic lodging accommodations from budget to moderately value-priced to meet your budget.

Notable Recent/Upcoming Events

  • SAAU Basketball, John A. Alario Event Center, 05/24-26/2019
  • Gumbo Dance Sports Championships, Pontchartrain Center, 06/27-30/2019
  • CoolEvents- Terrain Race, NOLA MotorSports, 11/09/2019
  • LHSAA Volleyball and Cheer & Dance, Pontchartrain Center, 11/14-16/2019, 11/29–12/01/2019
  • LHSAA Bass Fishing, Bayou Segnette Louisiana State Park, 03/13/2020

CVB/Sports Commissions Services Offered

  • Event Planning Assistance
  • Itinerary Development
  • Mobile Apps
  • Lodging Services
  • PR/Media Assistance
  • Signage
  • Site Visits
  • Transportation Assistance
  • Volunteer Staff
  • Welcome Bags/Gifts

Click on tab to see more information about a specific facility

Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center

Pontchartrain Center hi res

Pontchartrain Center hi res

This 4,600-seat multipurpose arena located in Kenner is a hotspot for indoor tournament play. The center features 46,080 square feet of floor space for exhibitions and over 11,000 square feet of meeting rooms, making it ideal to host smaller indoor events and competitions. The center also played host to LHSAA volleyball and cheer and dance competitions in November 2019 and was the host site for the Gumbo Dance Sports Championships for four days in late June.

Sports: MMA, multipurpose indoor

John A. Alario Event Center

no lot Alario_Center_Photo

The John A. Alario Event Center is a tournament planner’s dream when searching for an indoor, multipurpose venue. With 105,000 square feet spread throughout the facility across three main exhibition halls, two meeting rooms, a boardroom and a lobby, the center is conveniently located, less than eight miles away from most major New Orleans destinations. The center hosted an SAAU Basketball tournament in late May 2019 and an American Grappling Federation event in October that same year.

Sports: Multipurpose indoor

LaSalle Park

Alario Center- Basketball photo courtesy of JCVB

Located in close proximity to Jefferson East Bank hotels as well as the Shrine on Airline, LaSalle Park presents plenty of opportunities to play, with competitive league play in baseball, softball, flag football and soccer.

Sports: Baseball, football, soccer, softball

Lafreniere Park

Lafreniere Park has blossomed out of a large plot of underdeveloped acreage in East Jefferson and now offers a flourishing park with landscaped gardens, a championship disc golf course, soccer and softball fields, boating, fishing and an event/meeting facility. A two-mile jogging trail surrounds the playing fields.

Sports: Boating, disc golf, fishing, soccer, softball

Bayou Segnette Louisiana State Park

Located in the Westwego section of Jefferson Parish, Bayou Segnette is close to the urban center of New Orleans. The park features swamp and marsh and encompasses a greater area that houses both the John A. Alario Center as well as Bayou Segnette Field, a 750-seat baseball stadium that features artificial turf and a clay pitcher’s mound.

Sports: Baseball, boating, fishing

TPC Louisiana

Designed by Pete Dye, this par-72 golf course hosts the Zurich Classic of New Orleans annually in the spring and has housed major LGA junior, amateur and senior tournaments in the past. With greens featuring mini Verde Bermudagrass and fairways with TifSport Bermudagrass, it’s no wonder that tournament planners flock to this incredible course year after year for golf events.

Sports: Golf

NOLA MotorSports Park

2016 NOLA Event Center set up 240 dpi

Approximately 20 minutes away from New Orleans, this road racetrack has been home to some major events, including the Triumph Big Kahuna New Orleans: AMA Pro Racing Superbike Championship in 2012 and the Cooper Tires WinterFest in 2014.

Sports: Auto racing

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What is There to Do in Jefferson Parish?

Kenner’s Rivertown is a 16-block historic district which walks you through the area with cultural and family attractions, including the Planetarium & MegaDome Cinema. Visitors can explore the full-size NASA International Space Station Prototype or learn about La Salle’s Landing, a historic monument to the region’s first pioneers.

Located just 25 minutes away from New Orleans, the legendary swamp tours through Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve will take you through Louisiana’s backcountry. Traverse meandering bayous where the beauty of the region will be on full display and keep your head on a swivel for alligators.

A world-class racing experience can be found at the NOLA Motorsports Park, where GTX Max Karts drive up to 60 mph. Careen around the corners of this state-of-the-art park, located just 20 minutes away from New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Karting at NOLA Mortorsports Park Photo Courtesy of NOLA Motorsports Park

Located along Veterans Memorial Boulevard, the Lakeside Shopping Center features more than 120 places to shop dine and relax. The center has been Jefferson Parish’s premier shopping destination for more than 60 years and includes a LEGO Store, Apple Store, Zara, lululemon and much more.

Combining Cajun, creole, Caribbean, African, Native American, Italian, Spanish and French dishes are no easy task, but it’s what makes the restaurants found throughout Jefferson Parish so special. This eclectic mix of mouth-watering options will satisfy any palate.

Planner’s Perspectives

“My first event as an LHSAA Assistant Executive Director. The staff at Pontchartrain Center from top and all in between were exceptional! What a pleasure!”

-Rhonda Blandford-Green LHSAA Volleyball

How to Get to Jefferson Parish?

Jefferson Parish is home to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and is accessible via Interstate 10 and Hwy. US 90.

Contact Information

Robin Jones - Senior Sales ManagerCompany Name: Jefferson Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
Sports Sales Manager:  Robin Jones
Title: Senior Sales Manager
Telephone: 504-731-7083
Email:
robin@visitjeffersonparish.com
Website:
Visitjeffersonparish.com