College Football: Free Fun for Fans in Atlanta

By Carol Carter

Last Updated January 9, 2026

Add Discover ATL as a preferred source on Google

Atlanta is the capital of college football, a fact that is especially apparent in December and early January, when Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosts the SEC Championship, Cricket Celebration Bowl and 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

Mark your calendar for Dec. 6. That is when the SEC Championship will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Yes, tickets are expensive, but fans can get in on the excitement at the pre-game Dr. Pepper SEC FanFare event, featuring games, interactive events, pep rallies and displays for fans of all ages. This year, three-time Grammy Award-winning artist Ludacris will headline the T-Mobile SEC Championship Concert on Dec. 6, ahead of the SEC Championship game. Ludacris will take the stage in Building C of the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The concert kicks off at noon. The first two songs of the concert will be broadcast live on the SEC Championship edition of Marty & McGee Presented by Old Trapper on SEC Network, as well as SEC Network+.

“There’s nothing like the energy of college football, and the SEC Championship always delivers. I’m excited to team up with T-Mobile and bring the heat to the fans in Atlanta,” Ludacris said.

The Dr. Pepper SEC FanFare Event is open to the public with no ticket required. In addition to Marty & McGee’s live broadcast, the event will also be the site for the live broadcast of the network’s SEC Nation show which will begin at 1 p.m. on game day. The FanFare will be open from 1 until 7 p.m. Dec. 5 and 9 a.m. until 4 pm. Dec. 6.

Cricket Celebration Bowl

The Cricket Celebration Bowl, kicks off at noon Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. South Carolina State University will represent the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), and Prairie View A&M will represent the Southeastern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Ahead of the game, fans may enjoy sponsor activations and merchant vending at 8:30 a.m.; the college band jamboree at 9 a.m.; sponsor activations at 9:30 a.m; and the high school band jamboree at 10 a.m.

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl kicks off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 9. The The FanFest presented by Lions Club International begins at 2:30 p.m. and continues until 6:30 p.m. Find it in Hall C at the Georgia World Congress Center.

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.

.

Carol Carter was a founding staff member of Atlanta Business Chronicle where she later served as editor. She served as editor of seven magazines including a 150-year business history of Atlanta. She worked as a reporter for WXIA TV’s Noonday Show, has written for the New York Times and is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Carol is author of “Junior Dragster Dreams: How Sam Found His Own Ride,” a children’s book.

Originally Published November 22, 2023