Nation & World News
NCAA Championship: Everything you need to know about the game, the teams, the tickets and Trump's visit
By Debbie Lord, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Jan 8, 2018The college football National Championship game is only hours away.
Here is a guide to what you need to know about the game, the teams, the president’s visit and the price of a ticket (hint: it’s really high).
The game
- What time is the game, what channel and what are the odds? Click here for that information and a link to the livestream of the game.
- The weather is looking cold and wet for tonight's game. Here's the forecast.
- Tempted to put that drone you got for Christmas up in the air to get a gander at who is going in the National Championship game? Bad idea. Don't do it, the FBI is warning.
- How did we get here? Here's a look at the history of the college football national championship game.
- If you are lucky enough to be going to the game in Atlanta, here's a guide to parking, tailgating, how MARTA will work and what not to bring to the stadium.
- Officials are telling fans to enter the stadium through Gates 2, 3 and 4.
Tickets
- Here's the good news – there are still tickets left for the game. The bad news is that they cost $2,000. Fans are saying they may stay home and watch it on TV.
- Can you be sure the tickets you bought are good? Officials work to stop ticket scammers ahead of National Championship.
The team, coaches, wives
- It is tough to keep secrets when you play in the SEC. Especially when one of the coaches coached for both teams.
- Here are 11 things you may not know about Alabama coach Nick Saban, and 11 things to know about Georgia's Kirby Smart.
- Some of the players you see in tonight's game will be in the NFL. Here is a handful that will likely be playing on Sundays soon.
- Nick Saban has a pretty good record against his former assistants, in fact, it couldn't be any better.
- Nick Saban's wife puts up with a lot, Saban says. Here's a look at Terry Saban.
- Who is Mary Beth Smart, Georgia football coach Kirby Smart's wife?
- Here's Alabama's season up to the championship game – by the numbers
- This is how Georgia did this year -- by the numbers
President Trump’s visit
- President Trump is planning to attend the championship game. Here's a look at when he will arrive in Atlanta.
Other entertainment
- Seven-time Grammy winner Kendrick Lamar will perform at halftime of the game.
- Who is going to win? Georgia has the edge over Alabama in simulated games. Will it work for them on the field?

