Greg Sankey announces SEC championship football game will remain in Atlanta through 2031

At a press conference ahead of the 2024 SEC Championship Game, commissioner Greg Sankey announced the game will remain in Atlanta for the foreseeable future.

The SEC has extended its agreement with the city of Atlanta and Mercedes-Benz Stadium to keep the league championship game there through at least 2031.

The deal also allows the SEC the option to exercise an additional five-year option through 2036.

“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 in a press release. “We look forward to continuing a very positive relationship with Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Georgia World Congress Center as the home of our football championship.”

The SEC Championship Game has been hosted in Atlanta every year since 1994. Saturday’s meeting between Alabama and Georgia will be the 30th consecutive game played in Atlanta.

The Georgia Dome hosted games through 2016, then the games shifted over to the current Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017.

“For three decades, Atlanta has been the home of the SEC Championship. Now, we have the honor of hosting this prestigious championship game through at least 2031,” Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens said. “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.”

About the Southeastern Conference (SEC)

A pioneer in the integration of higher education and athletic competition, the Southeastern Conference is a leader on the national landscape for intercollegiate athletics in the 21st century.  Since its formation in 1933, the SEC has achieved stature and stability by designating governing/voting power to the presidents of the member institutions. These university leaders determine the policies of the conference and through the years this involvement has been the principal source of strength in the evolution of the SEC. 

Throughout its history, the SEC has provided leadership on the vital issues facing intercollegiate competition.  Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Vanderbilt have been in the SEC since its formation in 1933.  The league has expanded twice, adding Arkansas and South Carolina in 1991, then Missouri and Texas A&M in 2012 and will expand a third time with the addition of Oklahoma and Texas beginning in July 2024.