July 20, 2015
Official Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game Release
THE FLATS – Georgia Tech will open the 2017 college football season on Monday, Sept. 4, against Tennessee in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, announced Monday by Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game organizers. The 2017 date will be the first game between the former SEC rivals in 30 years.
The game will be one of the first college games played in the Falcon’s state-of-the-art New Atlanta Stadium, set to open earlier that year. The game will kick off in prime time and be nationally telecast on ESPN.
Georgia Tech and Tennessee have met 43 times, with the Volunteers holding a 24-17-2 series lead over the Yellow Jackets. It will be Tennessee’s second appearance in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, the first a 2012 win over NC State. Georgia Tech will be making its first appearance in the game.
“I know our team, coaches and fans are excited for the renewal of this old SEC rivalry. This is a fantastic chance for Georgia Tech to play in prime time and on a national stage,” said Mike Bobinski, Georgia Tech Director of Athletics. “Being part of the opening college football weekend in the spectacular new Atlanta stadium will be a unique opportunity for Georgia Tech fans and the entire Atlanta community to support the Yellow Jackets and experience this best-in-class facility.”
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to play in one of the first games at the Atlanta Falcons’ new stadium,” said Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech head coach. “Playing an SEC team like Tennessee in the non-conference is important for us and we’re grateful for the opportunity to play them in our backyard.”
This will mark the third time that the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game – the nation’s longest-running kickoff game – has opened the season hosting two games on the season’s first weekend.
The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game averages more than 66,000 fans per game – higher than 30 bowl games from last year – and its team payout averages $4.3 million which is higher than 21 bowl games last season. Television viewership is also traditionally strong with more than 40 million viewers tuning in to the series since 2008.
For each game, the majority of the tickets will be divided between the two teams, creating a true neutral-site environment. All tickets will be sold through the university ticket offices.
The teams will battle for The Old Leather Helmet Trophy, one of college football’s iconic rivalry-game trophies. Traditionally, winners of The Old Leather Helmet don the helmet on the field after the game, starting with the head coach and then rotating from player to player as the team celebrates its victory.
CHICK-FIL-A KICKOFF GAME HISTORY
2008 – Alabama 34, Clemson 10
2009 – Alabama 34, Virginia Tech 24
2010 – LSU 30, North Carolina 24
2011 – Boise State 35, Georgia 21
2012 – Tennessee 35, NC State 21
2012 – Clemson 26, Auburn 19
2013 – Alabama 35, Virginia Tech 10
2014 – Ole Miss 35, Boise State 13
2014 – Alabama 33, West Virginia 23
2015 – Louisville vs. Auburn
2016 – Georgia vs. North Carolina
2017 – Alabama vs. Florida State
2017 – Georgia Tech vs. Tennessee
Single game tickets for 2015 Georgia Tech football games will go on-sale to the general public on Friday, July 24, at 9 a.m. ET. Single-game tickets will be available for all home games except the matchup against Georgia on Nov. 28. Season tickets and 3-game ticket packages are available now by calling the Georgia Tech Ticket Office at 888-TECH-TIX or by visiting togetherweswarm.com.
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter (@GeorgiaTechFB), Facebook (facebook.com/GTAthletics), and Instagram (@GTAthletics) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com.
ABOUT THE CHICK-FIL-A KICKOFF GAME
Created in 2008 by Peach Bowl, Inc., the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game is a bowl-style, neutral-site game featuring two elite football programs and has been televised by network partner ESPN/ABC on the first Saturday of the college football season since its inception. The game has hosted teams with national rankings of No. 1, No. 2, 5 (twice), 7, 9, 14, 16, 18 (twice), 19, 24 (twice) and 25 and has been nationally broadcast each year. The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game boasts an average attendance of 66,084, an 11-point average margin of victory, and has distributed nearly $40 million in total team payouts. For more information, visit Chick-fil-AKickoffGame.com.
