ESPN personalities, celebrities come together in Atlanta for College Football Playoff National Championship party

This year’s College Football Playoff National Championship game will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday night. And to celebrate the big game, ESPN and the College Football Playoff hosted the 11th annual Allstate Party at the Playoff at Pullman Yards in Atlanta on Saturday.

On3 attended the event to cover the blue carpet where multiple ESPN personalities and celebrities spoke to reporters. Rece Davis of ESPN’s College GameDay spoke to On3 about having the national championship game in Atlanta in the inaugural 12-team playoff format.

“It’s a great stadium. It’s in the heart of college football country,” Davis said. “Obviously, we have two teams who might be viewed to some of the locals as interlopers, but they too in South Bend (Notre Dame) and in Columbus (Ohio State), that is the heart. Those are outposts where college football is king. So it’s really great to have here a place that cares very much about the sport, tremendous venue, great city. It knows how to handle a big event so it’s a good spot to wrap up the first year of the 12-team playoff.”

ESPN college football senior writer Heather Dinich also spoke to On3 about Atlanta hosting the championship game, and she said it makes sense to end the season in a city that loves college football. “It’s super fun for me because this has been the best season that I’ve ever had in college football, and I say that sincerely,” Dinich stated.

ESPN personalities share thoughts on College Football Playoff National Championship

“And to be able to cap it off here in what is such a heartbeat of the sport. We’ve been here so many times for SEC Championship games and other events and other things like that. College Football Hall of Fame is here. So I just think that this is a fitting end to the best season I’ve ever covered.”

Along with ESPN personalities, music superstar and Atlanta native T.I. was in attendance to perform for the partygoers. Reality TV star Toya Johnson was also at the party and told On3 she believes the Buckeyes will take down Notre Dame.

Ohio State comes into the game a huge favorite against the Fighting Irish. But when Elle Duncan of ESPN’s SportsCenter spoke to On3 about the game, she felt that Notre Dame has a “puncher’s chance” to win its first national title since 1988.

“Notre Dame definitely has a puncher’s chance,” Duncan said. “They’ve got a really good defense, they run the ball really well. Those are two components for a team that could be upset-minded because they can control time in possession. The best way to keep Ohio State from scoring is to keep them on the sideline. But I just think Ohio State’s offense is really rolling. So the biggest question mark for me is, can Notre Dame’s offense keep up?”

The College Football Playoff National Championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame will kick off on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.