ATLANTA — As Georgia and Alabama get ready for battle in the SEC Championship inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, fans of both teams are preparing for what should be an electric atmosphere in Downtown Atlanta before the game.
The No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs are looking to secure their spot in the College Football Playoff, while Nick Saban and No. 8 Alabama are looking to play spoiler and find themselves a spot in the CFP while potentially knocking out Georgia. A lot is on the line between two SEC powerhouses.
Whether you're going to the game or watching from the comfort of your own couch, we've got you covered on all the pre-game events, transportation to the game, secondary ticket prices and much more.
Pre-game events and tailgates
SEC FanFare and College GameDay
One of the most fun events fans can attend leading up to the SEC title game is SEC FanFare at the Georgia World Congress Center. Not only is it free for everyone, but there are countless games and events going on inside. To make it even more enticing, College GameDay will be live at SEC FanFare this year. Here are what fans can expect on Saturday:
- SEC FanFare has a new location this year: It will still take place inside the Georgia World Congress Center -- but it will now be in Building B. All fans must go through security prior to entering
- The event kicks off at 8 a.m. -- one hour earlier than last year, as College GameDay begins at 9 a.m. and ends at noon. College GameDay, which has been set up just outside The Benz in past years, will be inside the Georgia World Congress this year as the forecast calls for rain all day. Fans can line up to cheer on both coaches at Building B at 8:15 a.m., so be sure to get there early!
- Alabama head coach Nick Saban will be inside the building for an interview with GameDay at 8:30 a.m., while UGA head coach Kirby Smart will be live at 9:30 for his interview with the crew.
- Inside, there will be many football-themed games and interactives along with sponsored activities.
- Some of the games include a field goal kicking contest, where fans can take their turn kicking up to three field goals off a tee on a turf platform and an event where fans can take turns being a quarterback and wide receiver by running routes and jumping onto a foam pad designated as the end zone.
- Around noon, singer Darius Rucker will come on and perform a concert for fans.
- SEC Network's Marty & McGee Live will go on at 12 p.m.
- SEC Network's SEC Nation Live will also take place live inside the GWC from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- SEC FanFare will close at 4 p.m. when Georgia and Alabama are set to kick off.
At the game
- Mobile Tickets – All tickets will be digital for the game. Fans should familiarize themselves with the mobile ticketing process at www.secsports.social/mobile.
- The gates of Mercedes-Benz Stadium will open at 1:30 p.m. for early-arriving fans.
- Metal Detectors – Fans will be required to pass through metal detectors for admission to both the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and SEC FanFare at the Georgia World Congress Center on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2.
- SEC Clear Bag Policy– For security purposes, only clear bags are permitted in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Bags will be inspected before entry, though the SEC strongly encourages guests to not bring one.
- Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and may not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”
- Fans may use a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag
- Small clutch bags can be no larger than 4.5” x 6.5” with or without a handle or strap
- Mobile Lockers – The Mobile Locker Company will provide lockers outside Gates 1 and 2 for fans who want to rent a locker to store items. Lockers will be available for rental 2.5 hours prior to the start of the game and 1.5 hours post-game. Learn more at www.themobilelockerco.com
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium Cashless Policy – By accepting only credit cards, debit cards and mobile payments, transactions take place faster and allow vendors to operate more efficiently for customers.
- SEC Ticket Exchange – Fans should be aware of counterfeit tickets and should use the SEC Ticket Exchange at www.secticketoffice.com to purchase verified tickets.
Secondary ticket information
If you're still looking to get a ticket to head down to The Benz on Saturday, be ready to dish out a pretty penny. On secondary market site StubHub, the cheapest ticket to just get into the building is $500, with fees. That would be a ticket in section 323, the upper deck at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Tickets in the lower bowl don't start any cheaper than $1,000 -- and the median range for those tickets is around $2,500.
Public transportation and parking
MARTA
MARTA is one of the easiest modes of transportation to and from the game on Saturday. Fans wanting to go to SEC FanFare and/or the game can take the train to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium/State Farm Arena/GWCC rail station. This train runs on MARTA's Blue Line. All rail lines operate on Saturday schedules with extra service for the SEC Championship game.
Rideshares
Mercedes-Benz Stadium offers two rideshare drop-off and pick-up locations near the stadium.
- Rideshare Zone 1 is the primary and largest rideshare zone, located on Northside Drive in front of Georgia World Congress Center – Building C. When leaving the game, just exit the stadium at Gate 1 and head north, following the wayfinding signs along the Northside Drive sidewalk.
- Rideshare Zone 2 is located on the Centennial Olympic Park Drive sidewalk heading toward State Farm Arena.
Parking
Parking is available at several lots around Mercedes-Benz Stadium if you choose to self-park. There is still parking available. To see each lot, click here, and to purchase parking, click here.
What to know about the game
- The game is slated to begin at 4 p.m., although kickoff will be closer to 4:10 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on CBS.
- This is the fourth all-time meeting between Georgia and Alabama in the SEC Championship. The Tide are perfect in those games, holding a 3-0 record, including their most recent victory in 2021 -- which was UGA's last loss.
- This will be the seventh consecutive time the big game will be played inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium since it opened in 2017 and the 30th time it will be held in Atlanta.
- Georgia enters the game as 5-point favorites against Alabama and will be the away team in white jerseys. The home and away team alternates between the SEC East and SEC West every other year.
History between each team
- Alabama owns the all-time series against UGA with a record of 42-26-4 against the Dawgs.
- UGA is 4-6 in SEC Championship games, including 2-3 in the Kirby Smart era. Two of those three losses have come against the Tide.
- Alabama is 10-4 in SEC Championship games, including 8-1 under head coach Nick Saban. Alabama has won eight consecutive SEC titles they have appeared in. Their last loss came in 2008, but they won in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021.
Weather
The forecast in Atlanta calls for rain during most of the day for those planning their tailgating and pre-game activities. But luckily for those heading inside The Benz, the game is indoors and folks won't have to deal with the elements.
It will be an exciting day for fans attending both the pre-game festivities and the game itself as Alabama has a chance to knock the Dawgs off the No. 1 pedestal while Georgia can lock up back-to-back SEC Championship wins for the first time ever.