Irma Thomas, the Grammy-winning “Soul Queen of New Orleans,” is singing the national anthem at the 2026 Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Who’s Singing at the Sugar Bowl?

  • The national anthem performer for the Sugar Bowl is Irma Thomas, a legendary New Orleans soul singer with a six‑decade career.
  • She is 84 years old and is widely known in Louisiana and beyond for her classic soul recordings and strong ties to New Orleans’ music culture.

Event Details

  • Irma Thomas is scheduled to perform the national anthem ahead of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal Sugar Bowl matchup on January 1 in the Caesars Superdome.
  • Local coverage notes that her performance is part of a broader effort to highlight New Orleans talent and honor local educators during the pregame ceremonies.

How She’ll Perform the Anthem

  • Thomas has said she delivers a mostly traditional rendition of the anthem, keeping the melody and structure intact rather than heavily remixing it.
  • She emphasizes bringing joy and respect to the song, noting that she feels blessed to still be performing and plans to continue as long as she can.

TL;DR: Irma Thomas, the Soul Queen of New Orleans, is the one singing the national anthem at the Sugar Bowl.

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