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Today's the day: National Championship is here

ATLANTA — Whether you’re wearing red and black or crimson and white – this is the day that both Georgia and Alabama fans are waiting for.

UGA and the University of Alabama are playing for the National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 8 p.m.

Fans are being let in at 5 p.m.

Security at the game is elevated due to President Trump's scheduled visit.

We'll have LIVE, Team 2 coverage of game preps throughout the day on Channel 2 Action News 

Channel 2 Action News and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution are your home for everything College Football Playoff National Championship. Make sure to follow @WSBTV and @AJCSports for updates on Twitter & LIKE the official WSB-TV Facebook page!

For much more on the Georgia Bulldogs, CLICK HERE to download and listen to Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein & AJC's Jeff Schultz on the ‘We Never Played the Game’ podcast.

If you're attending the game, whatever you bring must be in a clear bag.

If you’re driving to the game, plan to be there before 4 p.m. and do not leave your firearm in your car.

Traffic alert for the National Championship

Police prefer people consider taking MARTA because with the president coming to the game, traffic will be significantly impacted.

The Bulldogs and Tide made triumphant returns to Atlanta on Friday, both looking for their second victories of the season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Southeastern Conference rivals play for the College Football Playoff national championship on Monday night.

Between the proximity of the schools and Georgia's long national championship drought, the title game is looking like a tough ticket. The cheapest ones on the resale website StubHub as of Friday night were going for $1,400 each. The Bulldogs have not won a championship since 1980.

Alabama is making its third straight appearance in the four-year old College Football Playoff national championship game. The Crimson Tide has won four national titles since 2009 under coach Nick Saban. Georgia has not been this close to a national title since the great Herschel Walker played his last game for the Bulldogs in the 1983 Sugar Bowl against Penn State. Georgia, which beat Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl to win the '80 title, lost to the Nittany Lions in '83.

Fans predict bruising championship game 

Fans from both sides have traveled from far to witness what's expected to be a tough, close game between the two SEC powerhouses.

Some said underdog Georgia will take home the trophy.

“I just think they're hungry. They’ve got a strong locker room, a lot of seniors and a great coach... I think it's our time,” said UGA fan Rusty Oliver.

Fans in Athens are watching from UGA campus

Channel 2's Dave Huddleston was in downtown Athens Monday where he met excited UGA fans on campus

Huddleston spoke to UGA junior Jake Williams from DeKalb County. He showed Huddleston an autographed helmet by just about everyone on the football team, including the entire defensive team and Sony Michel.  He said he's been a fan long before coming the Georgia and to be able to watch his team play in the National Championship is unreal.

Williams went to the Super Bowl, but couldn't score tickets to the National Championship. He and friends plan to watch the game on campus.