ATLANTA – Excitement is building ahead of college football’s biggest night when the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and Mercedes-Benz stadium will be the star of the show.

For some, the best part about the championship game is what’s planned before it. While 70,000 fans are expected to fill the Benz, thousands more will participate in a number of fun events leading up to the game.

What we know:

The College Football Playoff Championship game between Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is expected to draw 70,000 fans.

There are a ton of fun things to do around the city besides the game, including fan zones, concerts, and family-friendly activities.

What they’re saying:

Matthew Jacoby will be one of the 70,000 fans expected to pack the Benz on Monday. 

“The atmosphere at the Benz is second to none, and we’re really excited to be a part of the festivities,” said Jacoby.

He is an Ohio State Buckeyes fan who lives in Atlanta. While he expects the game to be great, he says all the events surrounding it will make it even better.

“There’s a lot going on down here, not just the game, the fan zone, the concerts, just being down in the city is a great time,” he said.

“Everybody might not be able to get to the game, but we want to have events or different activities that anyone can be involved in so that they can be a part of it,” said College Football Playoff Executive Director Rich Clark.

“I think this is a great way to kind of blend a variety of different cultural aspects, whether it’s music, food and sport together over, you know, a three-day weekend,” said Dan Corso, President of the Atlanta Sports Council.

Why you should care:

This isn’t just a football game, but a few days worth of a cultural experience that combines sports, music, and community activities, making it accessible and enjoyable for all ages.

If you’re looking for something free to do, head to the Georgia World Congress Center from Saturday to Monday for Playoff Fan Central. It’s a family-friendly event featuring youth sports clinics, autograph sessions and games.

One of the other hotly anticipated events AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! It’s a two-day concert series from Saturday to Sunday featuring multiple artists like Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane and Camila Cabello.

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