Atlanta’s SEC championship tradition ends with 24-team playoff expansion

Share Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — For more than three decades, December in Atlanta has meant packed stands, passionate fans and a football game with a habit of delivering national championship-sized drama. From the Georgia Dome to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the SEC Football Championship Game has brought some of college football’s biggest teams — and most unforgettable moments — to Atlanta. But on Monday, college football leaders announced the expansion of the College Football Playoffs from 12 to 24 teams next season, bringing an end to the Power Four conference championship games, including the SEC Championship Game. The announcement came after ESPN agreed to rework its contract to add 11 playoff games. The 2026 edition of the SEC Championship Game will be the final. “Expanding the College Football Playoff is about more than adding teams,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “It is about creating meaningful opportunities for student-athletes and universities, rewarding competitive excellence and challenging schedules, increasing fan access to championship competition by expanding the number of on-campus playoff games, and strengthening the importance of the entire season from opening weekend through the national championship.” David Epps, the president and CEO of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, said Atlanta will continue to have a major role in the postseason. “This is an extraordinary day for college football,” Epps said. “The arrival of the 24-team Playoff is a significant step forward for our sport, creating more opportunity than ever before. “More teams, more players, more fan bases and greater access to the playoff are all positive things for college football,” Epps said. “For us, our focus remains on delivering exceptional quarterfinal and semifinal games and making sure Atlanta continues to play a major role in determining college football’s national champion.” Under the new format, five teams will qualify automatically: the champions of the four major conferences and the highest-ranked champion from the Group of Six. A selection panel will choose the remaining 19 teams, with the top eight seeds receiving first-round byes. The first two rounds will be played on campus, beginning the second weekend in December. How Atlanta became the SEC’s championship stage The SEC introduced its football championship game in 1992, after expanding to 12 teams and splitting into East and West divisions. The first two games were played at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. In the inaugural matchup, Alabama beat Florida 28-21 and went on to win the national championship. The game moved to Atlanta in 1994, and it didn’t take long for the Georgia Dome to get a thriller: Florida edged previously unbeaten Alabama 24-23 in the city’s championship game debut. Atlanta has hosted the game every year since, with the matchup moving to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017. The games fans won’t forget 2001: LSU spoils Tennessee’s title hopes. LSU upset Tennessee 31-20, knocking the Volunteers out of the national championship picture. 2008 and 2009: Florida and Alabama trade blows. Florida beat Alabama 31-20 in 2008. Alabama returned the favor with a 32-13 win in 2009. Both winners went on to claim national titles. 2012: Georgia comes up just short. Alabama held off Georgia 32-28 after the Bulldogs’ final drive ended short of the goal line. Alabama went on to win the BCS championship. 2017: Georgia takes over the new stadium. In the first SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia beat Auburn 28-7 for its first conference title since 2005. 2018: Jalen Hurts leads an Alabama comeback. After quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was injured, Hurts stepped in and rallied the Crimson Tide past Georgia 35-28. 2019: Joe Burrow and LSU keep rolling. Burrow and the Tigers beat Georgia 37-10 on their way to an undefeated national championship season. 2023: Alabama ends Georgia’s streak. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 27-24, snapping Georgia’s 29-game winning streak. It was also the final SEC championship game between East and West division winners. 2024: Georgia wins an overtime thriller. Backup quarterback Gunner Stockton took over after Carson Beck was injured, and Trevor Etienne scored the winning touchdown in the game’s first overtime. Georgia beat Texas 22-19. 2025: Georgia beats Alabama again. The Bulldogs defeated the Crimson Tide 28-7 for their second straight SEC championship, with Stockton throwing three touchdown passes. What’s next for Atlanta? The College Football Playoff is expanding to 24 teams, and Epps said the Peach Bowl’s focus is on delivering quarterfinal and semifinal games and keeping Atlanta involved in the national championship picture. The final SEC Championship Game is set for Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, at 4 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Download our Atlanta News First app for your latest news and information. Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.