Are you ready for some football? Are you ready for some entertainment? Are you ready for the excitement of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship to come to Tampa?
The countdown is on. On January 9, 2017 the Clemson Tigers will take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the National Championship. There are a bunch of great events the weekend before the big game.
On Wednesday, November 16, the College Football Playoff crew announced the events leading up to the National Championship game.
“We know the national championship game will feature a great matchup,” said CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock, “and we’re equally excited about the lineup of events that will engage fans in the Tampa Bay area who have made us feel so welcome.”
The events and concerts surrounding the much anticipated weekend is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors to downtown Tampa.
The College Football Playoff has some pretty cool ways to stay connected as the big game approaches. They just created the new College Football Playoff Social Passport. The mobile app is a way for fans to redeem Championship Rewards points for prizes. There's even a chance to win National Championship game tickets. To download the app for iPhone, click here. To download the app for android, click here.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA DAY
On Saturday, January 7 at 9 a.m. both teams and coaching staffs will be at Amalie Arena for this FREE event. Attendees can watch their favorite players, listen to interviews and experience more than 1,000 media members preview the National Championship game. If you attend this event, you'll receive a free Media Day radio as well as a ticket for Playoff Fan Central at the Convention Center. Get more info here.
PLAYOFF FAN CENTRAL
The Tampa Convention Center will host a 200,000 square foot college football themed park. This event is great for the family with youth clinics, autograph sessions and pep rallies.
Playoff Fan Central runs Friday, Jan. 6 (3-8 p.m.), Saturday, Jan. 7 (noon-8 p.m.), and Sunday, Jan. 8 (noon-8 p.m.). Single-tickets are $8 ($10 day of event) and children 12 and under will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Groups of 20 or more can be purchased for $5 per ticket. (Not a FREE event)
THE EXTRA YARD 5K
A 5K to benefit the College Football Playoff Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers will be held on Sunday, January 8 at 8 a.m. Registration is $30 for the 5K and $15 for the fun run. (Not a FREE event)
TASTE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP
An exclusive night of great food and entertainment featuring some of the most exclusive chefs in Tampa and some of college football's greatest legends will be held at the Florida Aquarium on Sunday, January 8 from 7-10 p.m. (Tickets are $250)
CHAMPIONSHIP BEACH BASH
A free, family-friendly event will be held on Sunday, January 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach. There will be games and live music.
THE MUSIC
AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! is a FREE three-day music festival that will be held at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
The lineup for Friday, January 6 is:
- Clare Dunn
- The Shadowboxers
- Eric Paslay
The lineup for Saturday, January 7 is:
- Cold War Kids
- Flo Rida
The lineup for Sunday, January 8 is:
- Jay Pharoah - Special Guest Host
- Jamie N Commons
- Gavin DeGraw
- Usher
JUST IN | @Usher will headline the #ATTPlayoffPlaylist LIVE on Sunday, January 8 at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. @CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/EZQqJlwAyM
— ABC Action News (@abcactionnews) November 16, 2016
#ATTPlayoffPlaylist is a free, three-day concert series featuring @ericpaslay, @official_flo and @Usher. You won't want to miss this! pic.twitter.com/HwhmauqNKf
— CFBPlayoff (@CFBPlayoff) January 3, 2017
DOS EQUIS "GAME DAY GREATNESS" TAILGATE AND BEER GARDEN
On Saturday, January 7 from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday, January 8 from noon to 10 p.m. the Riverwalk at Tower Land will be turned into a Dos Equis Tailgate and Beer Garden. Fans will be able to walk the Tampa Riverwalk (between the Convention Center and the Sheraton Riverwalk Hotel) and "Stay Thirsty" all day, refilling their exclusive Dos Equis Riverwalk Cups at participating bars and restaurants along the way.
The event is FREE and open to the public. There will be photo opportunities with The Most Interesting Man in the World's helicopter RV from the latest commercial. GET MORE INFO HERE.
See the helicopter RV in the latest Dos Equis commercial:
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