College Football: Free Fun for Fans in Atlanta

By Carol Carter

Published November 22, 2023
Last Updated December 2, 2024

Atlanta is the capital of college football, a fact that is especially apparent in December, which brings to Mercedes-Benz Stadium the SEC Championship, Cricket Celebration Bowl and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Tickets to these games are out of the price range for most fans, but college football loves its fans so each game offers pre-game fan experiences that are free for the public to attend and enjoy.

SEC Championship

Set your alarms for 4 p.m. Dec. 7. That is kick-off time for the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Georgia Bulldogs face the Texas Longhorns. Yes, tickets are expensive, but fans can get in on the excitement at the pre-game Dr. Pepper SEC FanFare. Three-time Grammy Award-winning stars Dan + Shay will headline the T-Mobile SEC Championship Concert ahead of the game. Dan + Shay, whose No. 1 hits include “Tequila,” “Speechless” and “10,000 Hours, will take the stage in Building B of the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The concert kicks off at noon. The Marty & McGee Show will be broadcast live from noon until 1 p.m. SEC Nation Live will be broadcast from 1 until 4 p.m. Pep rallies begin at 1:15 p.m. More events include: a 40-yard dash, an opportunity to kick a field goal, a photo op with the championship trophy and plenty to do in the gaming area.

Cricket Celebration Bowl

The Cricket Celebration Bowl, which features the the South Carolina State Bulldogs of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and champion of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), kicks off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at noon on Dec. 14. Ahead of that, there are lots of events and activities. On Dec. 11, Coca-Cola will host a welcome reception and dinner for the teams and coaches, and the teams will attend a Coca-Cola Taste of Atlanta reception. On Thursday, there will be a Champions Circle Showcase Dinner Reception at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. On Friday, there will be a swim clinic at Morehouse College, a Guardian of the Games Awards Dinner honoring women leaders in sports; a SWAC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and a Band of the Year event. On Saturday, there will be an HBCU swim meet at Morehouse College, the Coca-Cola Fan Experience at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and a high school band jamboree.

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl kicks off at 1 p.m. New Year’s Day. On New Year’s Eve, Georgia Aquarium plans Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Fan Night. Fans are invited to explore all the aquarium’s galleries and attend a mini-pep rally that will feature each team’s cheerleaders and mascots. The cafe and cash bar will be available from 4 until 6 p.m.

For things to do on weekends in Atlanta, check our Things to Do in Atlanta this Weekend. For things to do anytime in Atlanta, visit our calendar of events.

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Journalist Carol Carter writes and edits for Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.