Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
Encyclopedia
The Chick-fil-A College Kickoff is an annual college football
game played on the opening weekend of the college football season in Atlanta, Georgia
at the Georgia Dome
.
, held in the Meadowlands
from 1983–2002, and the Disneyland Pigskin Classic
in the 1990s. Led by Steve Robinson, Chick-fil-A
’s chief marketing officer, the Chick-fil-A Kickoff wants to become the centerpiece of ESPN's Kickoff Week; in 2008, ESPN's College Gameday broadcasted from downtown Atlanta
, while ESPN corporate sponsors and local Atlanta-based companies featured prominent displays at Fanzones in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park
.
Robinson intends for the game to become the headliner of a three-day football weekend in Atlanta, beginning with a college game at the Georgia Dome on the opening Thursday of the season, followed by a high-profile high school game
in Atlanta on Friday night, and a concert on Saturday along with FanZone and an A-list game that night. While the first three games have been ACC-SEC contests, Robinson hopes to make the game a national affair, by offering "national brand-name" teams, such as Michigan
, Ohio State
, and Texas
, the opportunity to participate.
Auburn
and UCLA
were contacted about playing in the Georgia Dome in 2010, but Auburn backed out of the offer. ABC then attempted to substitute Georgia Tech
for the Tigers, but UCLA opted out because the game would essentially be a home game for the Atlanta-based Yellow Jackets, with no return trip to Los Angeles
. Finally, an agreement was reached with North Carolina and LSU
to face off in the 2010 game.
The Chick-Fil-A Kickoff will have two games to headline the 2012 season, following the announcement that Auburn and Clemson will join Tennessee and N.C. State to start the season in the Georgia Dome. The actual schedule is undetermined, but the likelihood is that the headliner will be played Saturday, while the other game is Thursday or Monday. The dual-game was first mentioned in the Miami Herald in May 2010, when Gary Stokan, president of the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, told the newspaper that there was the possibility of having the Alabama Crimson Tide
face the Miami Hurricanes
in a rematch of the 1993 Sugar Bowl
.
Payout to each team depends on the amount of revenue gained in excess of the Kickoff's $5.5 million budget. In 2008, Clemson and Alabama were both expected to receive more than $2 million. For both the 2008 and 2009 games, each participating school has sold out their entire allotment of 31,200 tickets, so there has never been a need for a public sale of tickets.
For the 2011 matchup, Boise State
was allotted 7,500 tickets, a similar amount of tickets the school sold for a game the previous year in Washington, D.C.
. Georgia
received the rest of the tickets available.
Rankings are from the AP Poll
.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
game played on the opening weekend of the college football season in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
at the Georgia Dome
Georgia Dome
The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the...
.
History
Organizers intend for the game to become a national spotlight game, on par with the Kickoff ClassicKickoff Classic
The Kickoff Classic was a season-opening college football game played at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey from 1983 to 2002.-History:...
, held in the Meadowlands
Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
from 1983–2002, and the Disneyland Pigskin Classic
Pigskin Classic
The Pigskin Classic was a season-opening college football game played at Anaheim Stadium from 1990 until 1994, and continued from 1995-2002 at various stadiums. It was initially created as a west-coast counterpart of the Kickoff Classic and hosted by the National Association of Collegiate Directors...
in the 1990s. Led by Steve Robinson, Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A |"fillet"]]) is a quick service restaurant chain headquartered in College Park, Georgia, United States, specializing in chicken entrées and is known for promoting the company founder's claims of Christian values. Long associated with the southern United States, where it has been a...
’s chief marketing officer, the Chick-fil-A Kickoff wants to become the centerpiece of ESPN's Kickoff Week; in 2008, ESPN's College Gameday broadcasted from downtown Atlanta
Downtown Atlanta
Downtown Atlanta is the first and largest of the three financial districts in the city of Atlanta. Downtown Atlanta is the location of many corporate or regional headquarters, city, county, state and federal government facilities, sporting facilities, and is the central tourist attraction of the city...
, while ESPN corporate sponsors and local Atlanta-based companies featured prominent displays at Fanzones in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park
Centennial Olympic Park
Centennial Olympic Park is a 21 acre public park located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA that is owned and operated by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority. The park was built by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games as part of the infrastructure improvements for the Centennial...
.
Robinson intends for the game to become the headliner of a three-day football weekend in Atlanta, beginning with a college game at the Georgia Dome on the opening Thursday of the season, followed by a high-profile high school game
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
in Atlanta on Friday night, and a concert on Saturday along with FanZone and an A-list game that night. While the first three games have been ACC-SEC contests, Robinson hopes to make the game a national affair, by offering "national brand-name" teams, such as Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
, Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
, and Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
, the opportunity to participate.
Auburn
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
and UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
were contacted about playing in the Georgia Dome in 2010, but Auburn backed out of the offer. ABC then attempted to substitute Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
for the Tigers, but UCLA opted out because the game would essentially be a home game for the Atlanta-based Yellow Jackets, with no return trip to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. Finally, an agreement was reached with North Carolina and LSU
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
to face off in the 2010 game.
The Chick-Fil-A Kickoff will have two games to headline the 2012 season, following the announcement that Auburn and Clemson will join Tennessee and N.C. State to start the season in the Georgia Dome. The actual schedule is undetermined, but the likelihood is that the headliner will be played Saturday, while the other game is Thursday or Monday. The dual-game was first mentioned in the Miami Herald in May 2010, when Gary Stokan, president of the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, told the newspaper that there was the possibility of having the Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
face the Miami Hurricanes
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
in a rematch of the 1993 Sugar Bowl
1993 Sugar Bowl
The 1993 Sugar Bowl took place on January 1, 1993, in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. It served as the final game and the National Championship of the 1992–93 college football season. The game featured two unbeaten teams in the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Miami Hurricanes...
.
Payout to each team depends on the amount of revenue gained in excess of the Kickoff's $5.5 million budget. In 2008, Clemson and Alabama were both expected to receive more than $2 million. For both the 2008 and 2009 games, each participating school has sold out their entire allotment of 31,200 tickets, so there has never been a need for a public sale of tickets.
For the 2011 matchup, Boise State
Boise State Broncos football
This page discusses the Boise State football program. For more Boise State athletics, see Boise State Broncos.The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I as a member of the Mountain West...
was allotted 7,500 tickets, a similar amount of tickets the school sold for a game the previous year in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
received the rest of the tickets available.
Game results
| Date | |Winning team | |Losing team | Attendance | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 30, 2008 | 24 Alabama 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team The 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 76th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 17th within the SEC Western Division... |
34 | 9 Clemson 2008 Clemson Tigers football team The 2008 Clemson football team represented Clemson University in the 2008 college football season. The Tigers were led by oft-maligned head coach Tommy Bowden, who resigned six games into his tenth season. The interim head coach was assistant coach Dabo Swinney... |
10 | 70,097 | notes 2008 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff The 2008 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff took place on August 30, 2008, in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. This was the first game of the Chick-fil-A College Kickoff series. The game featured the No. 9 Clemson Tigers and the No. 24 Alabama Crimson Tide.... |
| September 5, 2009 | 5 Alabama 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team The 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 77th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 18th within the SEC Western Division... |
34 | 7 Virginia Tech 2009 Virginia Tech Hokies football team The 2009 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Frank Beamer... |
24 | 74,954 | notes 2009 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff The 2009 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff featured the Virginia Tech Hokies, of the ACC, and the Alabama Crimson Tide, of the SEC, on September 5, 2009. The game took place in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia Dome. In the 2008 edition, Alabama defeated the Clemson Tigers 34–10. It was Virginia Tech's... |
| September 4, 2010 | 21 LSU 2010 LSU Tigers football team The 2010 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Les Miles in his 6th season. They played their home games at Tiger Stadium and were members of the Southeastern Conference in the Western... |
30 | 18 North Carolina 2010 North Carolina Tar Heels football team The 2010 North Carolina Tar Heels football team represented the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the 2010 college football season. The team was led by fourth year coach Butch Davis and played their home games at Kenan Memorial Stadium. They are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference... |
24 | 68,919 | notes 2010 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff The 2010 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff featured the North Carolina Tar Heels, of the ACC, and the LSU Tigers, of the SEC, on September 4, 2010. The game took place in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia Dome. In the 2009 edition, Alabama defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies 34–24. Both teams made their... |
| September 3, 2011 | 5 Boise State 2011 Boise State Broncos football team The 2011 Boise State Broncos football team represents Boise State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Broncos are led by head coach Chris Petersen, winner of the 2010 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award, and play their home games at Bronco Stadium... |
35 | 19 Georgia 2011 Georgia Bulldogs football team The 2011 Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs are led by 11th year head coach Mark Richt and play their home games at Sanford Stadium... |
21 | 73,614 | notes 2011 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff The 2011 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff, the fourth edition of the game, featured Boise State, of the Mountain West Conference, and Georgia, of the SEC, on September 3, 2011. The game took place in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia Dome. Boise State won the game 35–21 for the school's first ever win... |
Rankings are from the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
.
Future games
- 2012 - Auburn vs. Clemson and Tennessee vs. N.C. State
- 2013 - Alabama vs. Virginia Tech
- 2014 - Ole Miss vs. Boise State and Alabama vs. TBD
By team
| Rank | Team | Apps | Record | Win % |
|---|
| 2–0 | 1.000 |
| 1–0 | 1.000 |
| 1–0 | 1.000 |
| 0–1 | .000 |
| 0–1 | .000 |
| 0–1 | .000 |
| 0–1 | .000 |
By conference
| Rank | Conference | Apps | Record | Win % |
|---|
| 1 | 1–0 | 1.000 |
| 4 | 3–1 | .750 |
| 3 | 0–3 | .000 |
See also
- Cowboys ClassicCowboys ClassicThe Cowboys Classic is an annual college football game played on the opening weekend of the college football season in Arlington, Texas at Cowboys Stadium.-Game results :Winners are listed in bold...
- Kickoff ClassicKickoff ClassicThe Kickoff Classic was a season-opening college football game played at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey from 1983 to 2002.-History:...
- Eddie Robinson ClassicEddie Robinson ClassicThe Eddie Robinson Classic was college football "kickoff" game played in late August from 1997 through 2002 at various sites. The game was named after legendary coach Eddie Robinson. Until 2002, the NCAA only allowed for teams to play a 12 game regular season schedule if the first game were a...
- Pigskin ClassicPigskin ClassicThe Pigskin Classic was a season-opening college football game played at Anaheim Stadium from 1990 until 1994, and continued from 1995-2002 at various stadiums. It was initially created as a west-coast counterpart of the Kickoff Classic and hosted by the National Association of Collegiate Directors...