Atlanta is the capitol of the football world this weekend. Highlighting it all is the SEC Championship, with the Georgia Bulldogs playing Alabama for a shot at the national title.
Not to be outdone, the Atlanta Falcons beat the rival New Orleans Saints on Thursday night. After the game, crews at the Georgia Dome were busy tearing down the Falcons set up and replacing it for the SEC Championship.
That meant repainting the field, removing banners, and restocking the concessions.
"That's our goal, is when you walk into the SEC Championship, you have no idea the Falcons played here two days before," said Georgia Dome representative Jason Kirksey.
The Bulldogs will take on Alabama with a shot at the national title on the line on Saturday, and the tailgaters are already in place.
"I've been to about 890 games and over 800,000 miles," said fan Joe Cahn.
Joe Cahn calls himself the tailgate commissioner, and has a map of his travels to prove it. He says there's nothing like the bonding that takes place in a parking lot.
"What tailgating really is, is the last great American neighborhood. The new community social. It's really the only place where the community does get together," said Cahn.
Alabama fan Terry Kunkel was getting his RV ready to go when FOX 5 stopped by on Friday morning. "We just want to get here and get partying," he said.
Parish Duncan, a UGA fan, had his food and drink in coolers, and was planning to make hamburgers. Duncan said the rest of his clan would be coming in on Saturday morning.
Atlanta police say they will be out in force, going to 12 hour shifts, to make sure everyone enjoying the games are safe.
Some tickets are still available, but they may cost you. Some are going for as much as $300 on Stubhub. Kickoff for the game is 4 p.m. on Saturday. The economic impact for the weekend is estimated at $30 million.
Tuesday, November 27 2012 6:17 PM EST2012-11-27 23:17:04 GMT
Downtown Atlanta businesses are hoping to cash in big on a huge football weekend.
Downtown Atlanta businesses are hoping to cash in big on a huge football weekend. The Atlanta Falcons face the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night at the Georgia Dome, and after that, the facility transitions to the home of Saturday's SEC Championship.
Evan Gattis and Andrelton Simmons hit consecutive homers off Kenley Jansen in the eighth inning, and the Atlanta Braves rallied to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 on Saturday night.
Evan Gattis and Andrelton Simmons hit consecutive homers off Kenley Jansen in the eighth inning, and the Atlanta Braves rallied to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 on Saturday night.
The Atlanta Braves have placed left-hander Eric O'Flaherty on the 15-day disabled list with a left elbow strain and called up right-hander Cory Rasmus from Triple-A Gwinnett.
Braves general manager Frank Wren says left-hander Eric O'Flaherty has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.
By PAUL NEWBERRY AP National Writer The son of the U.S. national swim team director is reporting that Michael Phelps is planning a comeback for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
By PAUL NEWBERRY AP National Writer Is Michael Phelps planning a comeback?
Friday, May 17 2013 11:45 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:45:14 GMT
Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff biked his way to work on Friday. Dimitroff rode from Buckhead to The Georgia Dome as part of "National Bike to Work Day."
Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff biked his way to work on Friday. Dimitroff rode from Buckhead to The Georgia Dome as part of "National Bike to Work Day."
Justin Upton gave Atlanta the lead with a sixth-inning grand slam and the Braves finally unveiled their full-strength lineup, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5 on Friday night.
Justin Upton gave Atlanta the lead with a sixth-inning grand slam and the Braves finally unveiled their full-strength lineup, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5 on Friday night.
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer Ken Venturi, who overcame dehydration to win the 1964 U.S. Open and spent 35 years in the booth for CBS Sports, died Friday afternoon. He was 82.
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer Ken Venturi, who overcame dehydration to win the 1964 U.S. Open and spent 35 years in the booth for CBS Sports, died Friday afternoon. He was 82.
Crews at the Georgia Dome work to get it ready for Saturday's SEC Championship game on Saturday.
Crews at the Georgia Dome work to get it ready for Saturday's SEC Championship game on Saturday.
Tailgaters began arriving early to set up for the Alabama-UGA game at the Georgia Dome. The game kickoffs on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m.
