MIAMI (AFP) - One man was gunned down and nine people wounded in a shoot-out in the historic French Quarter of the southern US city of New Orleans, police said early Sunday (Nov 27).

Some 30 officers rushed to the scene when shots rang out around 1.30am (3.30pm Singapore time), city police superintendent Michael Harrison told reporters.

The man died of gunshot wounds, while two women and seven men were injured.

Two men were arrested in connection to the shooting, but Harrison said a motive was not yet known.

Thousands of outsiders have poured into the French Quarter this weekend as New Orleans hosts the Bayou Classic, an annual American football game between two rival Louisiana state universities.

The multi-day event includes a competition between rival marching bands, concerts and a parade.