It’s hard to believe that the regular season for college football is pretty much over—seems like the first kickoff was just the other day. But Championship Week is here, and the game involving the most impact on the national championship landscape will be packing out Atlanta hotels this coming weekend. It’s the Southeastern Conference Championship Game, where the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide, two undefeated teams, will collide with the winner advancing to the BCS title game.
BTW, if you’re not a sports fan, you might as well skip down to the next post—some great holiday travel ideas in the Northeast—but if you are, and if you’ve booked a cheap flight to Hartsfield-Jackson airport already to root on the Heisman messiah or the Red Elephants of Bama, here are some things to keep in mind before making your way to the kickoff at the Georgia Dome.
It will be the seventh time in the game’s 17-year history that the two teams will face each other for the SEC Championship, with Florida chomping its way to four victories in those previous title match ups, including last year’s 31-20 win over the Tide which drew nearly 76,000 fans, setting an attendance record for sporting events held at the Georgia Dome. Not surprisingly, tickets are sold out for this year, but you can still buy your way in through online ticket brokers, or scalping some tickets on game day. Just be prepared to pony up some money, although my cousin, a Gator diehard, found some for face value just a few days ago.
Prior to kickoff, the Dr. Pepper SEC Fan Fare will give Gator and Tide fanatics—as well as anyone who enjoys college football—an opportunity to take part in the festivities even if they don’t have a ticket to the game. Held at the Georgia World Congress Center from 1pm to 9pm EST on Friday and 9am right up to kickoff at 4pm on Saturday, the $8USD admission for adults ($4 for children under four-feet tall) will offer a bevy of entertaining activities. These include meeting past SEC greats, autograph sessions, interactive games, pep rallies, the Celebrity QB Challenge, and traversing through the Chick-fil-A Fan Zone. Country music recording artist Chuck Wicks will also give a free, live performance on Friday at 8pm. Additionally, the SEC Coaches Luncheon will be held Friday, Dec. 4 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Centennial Ballroom, where the SEC Network’s Dave Neal will facilitate discussions between the University of Florida’s Urban Meyer and Alabama’s lying Nick Saban.
Parking will cost anywhere between $10 to $35 USD, including grass spots where tailgating will be in full swing (but get there very early to secure a spot), as well as parking garages surrounding the Dome, Georgia World Congress Center, and CNN Center venues. Or you can avoid the snarling traffic altogether by taking MARTA to the Georgia Dome instead.
If you’re on an Atlanta vacation and can’t make it to the game, but still want to watch it in a festive atmosphere, there are several sports bars/restaurants that will make you feel like you’re there. Tide fans can get rolling at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta while there’s a mini-swamp for Gator fans at The Lodge at East Village Grille. There’s also the new STATs, located right near the Dome and the Georgia Aquarium, making it a perfect spot to catch the game if you weren’t able to scalp a ticket.
To be honest, it will pain me to see either team win, but regardless of my team affiliations, it’s sure to be a great game.
Image Credit: Georgia Dome
