For the past few years, many high school football fans in Georgia have called for the state championship games to return to being played inside of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where they last played in 2018. Well, those same fans may see their wish come to fruition as it is being reported that Georgia High School Association executive director, Dr. Robin Hines, spoke with the associations committee about a potential return and although not much more information has been given, talks with officials from MBS are on-going.
While there was never one main reason for GHSA to move the championship games to Georgia State’s Center Parc, several factors are known to have played a role in the move, including cost as well as scheduling conflicts and inclement weather. During the 2017 season, after a severe winter hit the metro Atlanta area forcing majority of the games to be played, moved to high school venues. Ironically, inclement weather may be a factor in GHSA eyeing a return to MBS. With Center Parc being an opened aired venue, the championship games have seen a drop off in attendance with weather being a contributing factor.
If an agreement for the GHSA football championships to return to MBS is reached, it is reported to possibly happen as early as next season. In the past three seasons, the Corky Kell Classic is the only high school football event to take place in MBS.