Atlanta: Here’s how to celebrate UGA in the College Football Championship if you can’t go to the game

Can’t get into Mercedes-Benz? There’s plenty of ways to watch the game and celebrate the Dawgs’ big moment.
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University of Georgia National Championship
Nick Chubb #27 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs for a 50 yard touchdown during the third quarter in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 2018.

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

On Monday night, the Georgia Bulldogs have a shot at defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide to win the College Football Playoff National Championship. It’s been 38 years since the last time the Dawgs were declared national champions, and UGA fans are salivating at the thought of not only kicking Alabama’s butt, but kicking it essentially at home in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

But the cheapest tickets on StubHub for Monday’s game (as of press time) will set you back about $1,300. (And for those who really want to splurge, there’s a 26-person suite that’s currently running for $106,700.) If you’re not able to get in the stadium doors, here are a few other ways to spend the championship weekend and watch the game.

Official game events
College Football Playoff Fan Central
When: January 6-8
Where: Georgia World Congress Center
Cost: $8 in advance, $10 at door, free for kids under 12
Details: Running all weekend long just next door to the stadium, this official event features plenty of games, pep rallies, live band performances, autograph opportunities, and football-themed exhibits.

Extra Yard 5K
When: January 7, 8 a.m.
Where: International Plaza
Cost: $35 through January 5, $45 on race day
Details: Here’s one way to get into Monday’s game, if you happen to possess super speed: The top overall male and female finishers of this 5K will get two tickets to the championship. For everyone else, registering for this race earns you two tickets to above-mentioned Playoff Fan Central, a shirt, a medal, and an entry to win tickets to the championship game. Proceeds go to Extra Yard for Teachers.

Taste of the Championship
When: 
January 7, 7 p.m.
Where:
 Georgia Aquarium
Cost: 
$250 general admission, $350 VIP
Details: 
Sample food and drink from various notable Atlanta chefs, including Ford Fry, Kevin Gillespie, Kevin Rathbun, the Fox brothers, Todd Richards, Savannah Sasser, and more. Proceeds go to Extra Yard for Teachers.

Championship Tailgate Plaza
When: 
January 6-8
Where: 
International Plaza
Cost:
 Free
Details:
Brave the chilly temps and party outside with tailgate games, a zip line, free-fall stunt jumps, and more.

AT&T Playoff Playlist
When: 
January 6-8
Where: 
Centennial Olympic Park
Cost: 
Free
Details:
The championship’s official free concert series brings some big names to Atlanta. On January 6, Jason Derulo, Charlie Puth, and Lizzo perform. January 7, The Chainsmokers, Bebe Rexha, and Spencer Ludwig take the stage, and on January 8, Darius Rucker performs a pre-game show with Brett Young. There will also be fireworks and ESPN broadcasts.

Kendrick Lamar
When: January 8 at halftime
Where: Centennial Olympic Park
Cost: Free
Details: And the crown jewel of the free concerts—Kendrick Lamar is performing the game’s halftime show on Monday night. The concert is free and non-ticketed, so you will want to get there early.

Watch parties
Sports & Social
When: 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Table reservations for the Battery’s massive sports bar (which has a colossal 30-foot TV) are already booked, but the bar will offer standing-room-only space until it reaches capacity. The metro Atlanta chapter of the UGA Alumni Association is also holding its official watch party here.

The Strand
When: January 8, 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: If you want to watch the game in style in Cobb County, the Marietta Square theater is showing the game on its auditorium screen.

Stats Brewpub
When: January 8
Cost: $5 cover
Details: The downtown sports bar features 70 TVs and is a short hop over to Mercedes-Benz. You can also book a beer tap table ($750 for a party of eight) or a private suites for 10 or 15 people ($1,000 and $1,500, respectively). (Note that some of these options have already sold out.)

SweetWater Brewing Co.
When: January 8, 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Every TV in the Armour Yards brewery will be tuned to the game, and you can pick up a limited-edition Crowler and SweetWater merch in your team’s colors.

Monday Night Brewing
When: January 8, 8 p.m.
Where: West Midtown and Garage locations
Cost: Free
Details: Sip local brews and watch the game on the big screen at both of Monday Night’s locations.

My Sister’s Room
When: January 8, 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: The bar will have the game on every TV and is offering $10 Miller Lite buckets, $5.99 wing baskets, and $2 tacos.

Ten ATL
When: January 8, 6 p.m.
Cost: $10 general admission
Details: Ten bucks will get you admission and free food at this East Atlanta Village bar, but they have pricier packages that include bottles of liquor and Champagne. You can also get a $10 hookah before 10 p.m.

Other bars we suggest for game-watching
Manuel’s Tavern
Taco Mac
Ormsbys
Mazzy’s Sports Bar
Park Tavern
Yard House (Atlantic Station and the Battery)

Tailgates
Championship Series Tailgate
When: January 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: College Football Hall of Fame
Cost: Free
Details: Hosted by the Home Depot and ESPN’s College Gameday, this event features a live DJ and trivia, a cash bar, tailgate games, prizes, and a scavenger hunt.

Tailgatehouse
When: January 8, 2 p.m.
Where: Between Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Elliott Street SW, just southeast of Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Cost: $75 per person
Details: This 40,000-square-foot covered, heated outdoor space includes an open bar, Williamson Bro’s BBQ, two 12 foot by 7 foot viewing screens, four additional TVs, games and live music. It’s also open until the game ends.

Tailgate Party Committee
When: January 8, 4 p.m.
Where: Gulch Parking Lot 1
Cost: $25-$50
Details: This tailgate advertises a live DJ, all-you-can-eat tailgate fare (hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, etc.), all-you-can-drink beer, wine, and liquor, and TVs showing the game.

Just for kids
Free admission to Legoland Discovery Center
When:
January 6-8
Where:
Legoland Discovery Center at Phipps Plaza
Cost:
$12.50-27.95
Details:
Kids can wear their best UGA or Alabama gear to receive a free admission coupon (with the purchase of a full-price ticket). Workshops will teach youngsters how to build football-themed creations.

Street closures on January 8
Traffic is going to increase Monday afternoon as roughly 100,000 people surge into downtown for the game, and there’s currently (as of Friday afternoon) a chance of freezing rain Monday morning. Oh yeah, and President Trump is reportedly coming to the game, too. Our suggestion: Work remotely or take MARTA for everything. (Additional trains will be running for the game.)

  1. Marietta St, between Ivan Allen Jr Blvd and Centennial Olympic Park Dr
  2. Centennial Olympic Park Dr, between Portman Blvd and MLK Jr Dr
  3. Eastbound Baker St, between Luckie St and Centennial Olympic Park Dr

What else can I do while I’m in Atlanta?
This is kind of our area of expertise. A few guides to help you make the most of your weekend:

50 Best Things to Do in Atlanta

50 Best Restaurants in Atlanta

50 Best Bars in Atlanta

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