IF YOU GO
What: 2015 SEC Championship Game
Who: Florida Gators (10-2) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1)
When: 4 p.m. Dec. 5
Where: Georgia Dome, 1 Georgia Dome Drive, Atlanta. gadome.com
Tickets: sold out
Television: CBS, with Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson
What's at stake: If favored Alabama wins, they are all but assured a spot in the four-team College Football Playoff.
The Alabama Crimson Tide and Florida Gators will close out the Southeastern Conference football schedule Saturday at the Georgia Dome with the 24th annual SEC Championship Game, televised nationally by CBS.
Florida and Alabama are, respectively, the SEC’s Eastern and Western Division winners, based on their conference records during the eight-game regular season. Alabama is making back-to-back appearances in the SEC title game, as it defeated Missouri 42-13 in 2014.
Saturday’s kickoff is set for 4 p.m., with gates opening at 1:30 p.m., 30 minutes earlier than normal, as fans will experience a stronger security presence at the Georgia Dome and adjacent Georgia World Congress Center for the SEC FanFare. Arriving fans are asked to help expedite the entrance process by knowing that anything brought in must be inspected.
Fans are strongly encouraged not to bring any type of bags to the championship weekend events, but any bags that are brought must be clear or a small clutch bag in order to be allowed in for the game or SEC FanFare.
With new stadium construction and limited parking, fans also are strongly encouraged to take MARTA or a taxi to and from the Georgia Dome. Disembark at the Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN station or the Vine City stop and make the short walk.
The game has been a sell-out 22 times in its 24 year history, and the trend will continue this year; available tickets were distributed through SEC schools to season ticket holders and the SEC office. As of Monday, on reseller StubHub tickets were priced at $175 for the upper corners and $1,500 for club level.
Here are some events related to the game for fans with or without a ticket:
SEC FanFare
The annual fan football festival runs Friday and Saturday at the Georgia World Congress Center. Attendees can meet SEC football legends and play interactive games. The SEC Network will be broadcasting from the site each day. Pep rallies featuring both teams, along with the cheerleaders and mascots, will take place Saturday afternoon.
2-8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Georgia World Congress Center, Halls C1-C3, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd., Atlanta. $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12 years of age, with passes sold at the door. secsports.com.
College Football Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame offers interactive exhibits and rare football artifacts. An alternate football helmet exhibit has been getting rave reviews from fans. On Friday, ESPN Radio will be broadcasting from the hall, 1-4 p.m. The hall will be holding viewing parties on the video board above the 45-yard indoor playing field. On Sunday, the American Football Coaches Association will unveil the final USA Today Coaches Poll at 1:30 p.m.
Opens at 10 a.m. Sunday and Friday and at 9 a.m. Saturday. College Football Hall of Fame and Fan Experience, 250 Marietta St. N.W., Atlanta. Adults $19.99, kids (3-12) $16.99, seniors (65 and older), military and students $17.99, kids under 3 are free. cfbhall.com.
Alumni and game-watch events
Both schools’ alumni associations have events planned for fans.
The UF Alumni Association and Gator boosters will hold a ticketed welcome gathering at 8 p.m. Friday at the Hilton Atlanta. The Atlanta Gator Club SEC headquarters for the weekend will be SideBar in downtown Atlanta. Official game-watch locations will be Loco’s in Alpharetta, Fado in Buckhead and Hudson Grille in Kennesaw.
Alabama fans will gather at the Hudson Grilles in downtown, Midtown and Alpharetta to watch the game. Smith’s Olde Bar will play host to a pep rally Friday night where 10 percent of food and drink proceeds from 5 to 9 p.m. will benefit the Bama in Atlanta scholarships. Former Alabama and Atlanta Falcons football players Mike Johnson and John Parker Wilson are scheduled to appear and a raffle will take place, with the grand prize being two tickets for the game.
Other area attractions
Georgia Aquarium, with its Holidazzle light show and Festival of the Season decorations, at 225 Baker St., Atlanta. georgiaaquarium.org.
World of Coca-Cola, 121 Baker St., Atlanta. worldofcoca-cola.com.
SkyView Atlanta ferris wheel, 168 Luckie St., Atlanta. skyviewatlanta.com.
Skate Atlantic Station outdoor ice skating rink, 1380 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta. atlanticstation.com.
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