The Southeastern Conference will have a college football championship home at Mercedes Benz Stadium for years to come.
That’s because the SEC extended an agreement that allows the division to hold the annual CFB division championship game at the stadium until at least 2031, as announced by the SEC, AMB Sports
and Entertainment, the owner of the stadium, and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority.
The SEC could hold the championship games at MBS even further into the future. The SEC has an option attached that could extend the agreement another five years, into 2036.
Before today’s agreement, the contract was set to expire in 2026.
“The SEC Football Championship Game is one of the premier events in college sports and Mercedes-Benz Stadium is one of the finest sports facilities on the globe, making Atlanta the perfect venue for our annual title game,” said Greg Sankey, SEC Commissioner, in a statement. “We look forward to continuing a very positive relationship with Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Georgia World Congress Center as the home of our football championship.”
“Commissioner Sankey and the SEC have been great partners and we are happy to ensure that this championship game remains in Atlanta and at Mercedes-Benz Stadium where it belongs,” said AMB Sports and Entertainment CEO Rich McKay.
Added Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, “This is a testament to our ability to host large scale events-and all the small businesses, restaurants, service industry and hospitality workers who ensure that visiting Atlanta is a world-class experience. Thank you to everyone in the Atlanta community responsible for another big win for the new sports capital of the nation.”
Atlanta is in its 30th consecutive year as the host city of the SEC Championship Game. The Georgia Dome was the charter venue of the event until MBS took over in 2017. This year’s Georgia vs Alabama game will be the event’s 30th.
Image credit: Southeastern Conference
