It has only been a little more than a month since the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship was played, and there are still many months to wait for next season. However, college football fans can look ahead to future championships and count on seeing some of football’s premier venues to host the action.
Attracting the championship is a major source of competition among large venues, as college football’s championship can showcase the stadium to a large audience. Raymond James Stadium in Tampa took its turn at hosting the game in January, just months after the completion of the first phase of a major renovation.
In the coming years, there will be even more standout stadiums showcased. The host venues from 2018-2020 come with their own story lines—benefiting not just their NFL home team, but for one night, two of the best teams in college football.
2018 Championship: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Date: 1/8/2018
The championship will be one of the first major events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which will host its first NFL season this fall. On several levels, its opening is highly anticipated, as the stadium is expected to introduce several unique design and technology features.
For college football’s big game, organizers are touting Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s location within downtown Atlanta, which should provide convenient access to hotels and other amenities. While more about the stadium will be known once it opens, it has already become a sought-after venue for major games. Starting this year, the SEC Championship will be hosted there through 2027, while the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four is set to be played at the venue in 2020. Mercedes-Benz Stadium also has a Super Bowl in its future, with Super Bowl LIII scheduled to be played there in 2019.
2019 Championship: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
Date: 1/7/2019
A stadium with a Super Bowl already under its belt, Levi’s Stadium is scheduled to follow Atlanta on the championship’s docket. The game is no stranger to annual football events, as it has hosted the annual Pac-12 Championship since 2015.
When Levi’s Stadium was announced as the host of the 2019 game, planners said that they expected it to be a fitting showcase for Silicon Valley and the Bay Area. Of note is that this game will make Santa Clara the first city in the Pacific Time Zone to host the championship, which will be played for the fifth time in 2019.
2020 Championship: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans
Date: 1/13/2020
More information about this game should emerge in the next few years, but its seems safe to expect the Superdome to put on a good show. The stadium has hosted numerous major events over the years, including seven Super Bowls, four BCS Championships, and five Men’s Final Fours. The BCS Championship was last played at the Superdome in 2011.
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