The SEC Championship Game will stay in Atlanta for a long time

The Georgia Dome in Atlanta has hosted the SEC Championship since 1994 and it will see its last one in 2016. However, that doesn't mean the game is leaving Atlanta as the SEC along with AMB Sports & Entertainment (AMBSE) and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) have agreed to keep the game at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium that will be completed before the 2017 championship game.

The last 19 years have seen sellout crowds for the game and new SEC commissioner Greg Sankey clearly understands this. "Atlanta has served as an outstanding host for the SEC Football Championship Game for more than two decades and has been the perfect venue for one of the premier events in college sports," said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. "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."

As reported by the GWCCA, the economic impact of the SEC Football Championship Game to the State of Georgia since 1999 is estimated at more than one billion dollars. Currently under construction in downtown Atlanta, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be a world-class, multi-purpose venue representing the latest in design, features and amenities. The stadium is on track to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification at the highest level from the U.S. Green Building Council and will contribute to a thriving downtown tourist and entertainment district.

So start planning your trips to the SEC Championship game at the beautiful new stadium for the next decade because this glorious event isn't going anywhere.