Atlanta wins 2018 College Football Championship game (power lines, neighborhood, pine)

[AnsleyPark]

Even if it were say, UGA (dream on, I know) in the championship game, many, many fans would still stay over in downtown hotels to celebrate (or commiserate). UGA's fan base stretches far and wide. Heck, I wouldn't want to even drive back to Johns Creek from the Dome so late at night after pre-game drinks and hopefully post game celebrations, so would likely stay in town. I think a lot of folks are that way.

[Hokiehaven]

Originally Posted by JoeTarheel

What's wrong with a team from the South that has a strong fan base? It may be better for hotels, but even fans from Tallahassee or Baton Rouge would probably stay at least one night...it's a lot to drive 4-5-6 hours, sit for a 3 hour game, then drive back 4-5-6 hours. The real nightmare would be a small school team with minimal fan base that doesn't travel well - but that would be great to see even if it's not good for the local economy. I would love to see an unlikely team win a championship, and it will happen one day. The same old teams get tiresome.

That's the problem with the playoff system not being on college campuses. If they were to increase the number of teams to 8 (which I think they will in a couple of years), that could possibly be 3 long-distance travel situations for fans in a span of 3 weeks. I'm not sure each game would be a sellout. I like the playoff, but I'm just skeptical of how it will work out for fans. It's not ticket sales that generates $$ anyway, but it's really nice to see a full stadium.

Flying in would likely spend more money then driving in, certainly Alabama and Florida, LSU would stay over, but maybe a night in some instances, also I'd expect a higher number of fans for those teams to be local then further out.

[JoeTarheel]

Originally Posted by Hokiehaven

Flying in would likely spend more money then driving in, certainly Alabama and Florida, LSU would stay over, but maybe a night in some instances, also I'd expect a higher number of fans for those teams to be local then further out.

Well...since no one has any control over which teams play in it I guess we just have to leave it to chance. LOL!

[Hokiehaven]

No doubt, it will probably be traditional powers, someone from the SEC versus Michigan, Ohio State, Texas school, Cal school, etc. like it is every year just about.

[JoeTarheel]

Originally Posted by Hokiehaven

No doubt, it will probably be traditional powers, someone from the SEC versus Michigan, Ohio State, Texas school, Cal school, etc. like it is every year just about.

The ACC looks to be a regular so far too...I think that any of the Power 5 champions will have a shot at being in the playoffs, especially if they are undefeated or have 1 loss.

[golden eagles fan]

For hotel purposes, the further away the teams are from the venue, the better. I could be wrong, but I couldn't imagine the hotels in the area being very full when Alabama and Georgia played for the SEC title three years ago. Then again, Atlanta is such a draw that any sporting event will fill up the hotels.

[Hokiehaven]

Originally Posted by JoeTarheel

The ACC looks to be a regular so far too...I think that any of the Power 5 champions will have a shot at being in the playoffs, especially if they are undefeated or have 1 loss.

Regular to make the playoffs, but probably not to play in it in the championship, likely out in the play-in games.

[fieldm]

Originally Posted by golden eagles fan

For hotel purposes, the further away the teams are from the venue, the better. I could be wrong, but I couldn't imagine the hotels in the area being very full when Alabama and Georgia played for the SEC title three years ago. Then again, Atlanta is such a draw that any sporting event will fill up the hotels.

I happened to be on 85 N coming from Columbus that morning and every other car had an Alabama tag with some type of Alabama sticker on their car driving up that morning for the game

[testa50]

Optimal is ~500-600 miles. Midwest and Texas. Many southeast fans are local or will drive in an RV. West Coast fans are far enough that the expense of flying in will dissuade them, or the fanbases aren't large enough to garner massive traveling support. Remember, the matchup isn't final until 2 weeks prior.

BigXII/Big10 would be the optimal matchup from an economic perspective.

[0nyxStation]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Nice! That is a big win!

Its going to be a great event and nothing can stop the cash that will roll in. It's going to be amazing.