SEC extends championship agreement with Mercedes-Benz Stadium

ATLANTA — The Southeastern Conference Football Championship Game isn’t leaving Atlanta anytime soon.

SEC officials and Mercedes-Benz Stadium announced on Thursday that Atlanta will host the game through at least 2031. The previous contract was set to expire in 2026.

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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said that he looks forward to the positive relationship continuing.

“The SEC Football Championship Game is one of the premier events in college sports and Mercedes-Benz Stadium is one of the finest sports facilities on the globe, making Atlanta the perfect venue for our annual title game,” Sankey said.

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Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said the SEC Championship is an honor for the city to keep on hosting the “prestigious” event.

“This is a testament to our ability to host large-scale events—and all the small businesses, restaurants, service industry, and hospitality workers who ensure that visiting Atlanta is a world-class experience. Thank you to everyone in the Atlanta community responsible for another big win for the new sports capital of the nation,” the mayor said.

The SEC Championship has been played in Atlanta since it moved back in 1994. This year’s game will feature the undefeated, top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide for the fourth time.

Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2.

LIST OF SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

1992: Alabama 28, Florida 21 (@ Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.)

1993: Florida 28, Alabama 13 (@ Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.)

1994: Florida 24, Alabama 23 (First year @ Georgia Dome)\

1995: Florida 34, Arkansas 3

1996: Florida 45, Alabama 30

1997: Tennessee 30, Auburn 29

1998: Tennessee 24, Mississippi State 14

1999: Alabama 34, Florida 7

2000: Florida 28, Auburn 6

2001: LSU 31, Tennessee 20

2002: Georgia 30, Arkansas 3

2003: LSU 34, Georgia 13

2004: Auburn 38, Tennessee 28

2005: Georgia 34, LSU 14

2006: Florida 38, Arkansas 28

2007: LSU 21, Tennessee 14

2008: Florida 31, Alabama 20

2009: Alabama 32, Florida 13

2010: Auburn 56, South Carolina 17

2011: LSU 42, Georgia 10

2012: Alabama 32, Georgia 28

2013: Auburn 59, Missouri 42

2014: Alabama 42, Missouri 13

2015: Alabama 29, Florida 15

2016: Alabama 54, Florida 16 (Last game @ Georgia Dome)

2017: Georgia 28, Auburn 7 (First game @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium)

2018: Alabama 35, Georgia 28

2019: LSU 37, Georgia 10

2020: Alabama 52, Florida 46

2021: Alabama 41, Georgia 24

2022: Georgia 50, LSU 30

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This new hotel next to Mercedes-Benz Stadium is about to dominate the skyline of downtown Atlanta

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