College football national championship heading to Atlanta in 2018

November 4,2015

Mercedes-Benz Stadium will play host to the College Football Playoff National Championship in January 2018, officials announced Nov. 4.

Atlanta edged out out Miami, Houston and Santa Clara, Calif., to hold the matchup between college football's biggest titans.

The game is the third major college event scheduled to be held in the new $1.5 billion stadium.

“This is a very exciting day for everyone involved and a huge win for the Atlanta community,” said Dan Corso, Executive Director of the Atlanta Sports Council. “The bid process, which began in February of this year, was truly a team effort and we could not be more proud of the group of partners we have here in Atlanta. Together, we look forward to working with the College Football Playoff to host an unforgettable event and showcasing all that Atlanta has to offer as a host city.”

The Atlanta Bid Committee included representatives of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Atlanta Falcons, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Georgia Tech and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority.

In September, the Southeastern Conference, along with AMB Sports & Entertainment and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, announced an agreement to host the SEC Football Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta through 2026.

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) title game will be played at the Georgia Dome in 2015 and 2016, and then move to the Falcon’s new home, Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The new agreement allows the SEC the option of adding up to two successive five-year extensions.

Then, on Nov. 14, Atlanta landed the 2020 Men's Final Four — its fifth, which is set for April 4-6.

But, it’s not all about college athletics for Atlanta.

The city could also host the National Football League’s biggest game.

Atlanta, along with Miami, New Orleans, and Tampa Bay are finalists to host the 2019 and 2020 Super Bowls. The four cities will be narrowed down to two next May, following a vote from the NFL owners.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is under construction and slated to open in 2017.