2017 College Football National Championship Events: What To Know Before You Go

TAMPA, FL – The college football spotlight will be shining directly on the Tampa Bay area next Monday, when the city hosts the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Raymond James Stadium.

However, in the coming week, there will be plenty of parties, events and celebrations for residents and out-of-town guests to enjoy in preparation for the big game featuring Alabama and Clemson.

Here’s a list of the official events taking place in the Tampa Bay area leading up to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game:

Playoff Fan Central

Playoff Fan Central is a multi-day fan event with the opportunity to be a part of the College Football Playoff National Championship. Located inside the Tampa Convention Center, Fan Central offers a family-friendly atmosphere with interactive games, sponsor activities, special guest appearances and other exhibits that celebrate college football.

• Dates: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 6-8
• Times: Friday, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-8 p.m.
• Location: Tampa Convention Center: 333. S. Franklin St., Tampa
• Admission: $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Children 12 and younger are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Advance tickets can be purchased at http://www.ticketmaster.com/Playoff-Fan-Central-tickets/artist/2054236.
• Events: Family-friendly activities and entertainment, food and beverages, youth sports clinic, celebrity appearances, Alabama and Clemson band performances, sponsor activities

AT&T Playoff Playlist Live

For college football fans who love to rock out, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park will play host to AT&T Playoff Playlist Live, a free outdoor concert series featuring a mix of national recording artists.

• Dates: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 6-8
• Time: Friday, gates open at 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, gates open at noon
• Location: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa
• Admission: Free
• Friday performances: Eric Paslay, The Shadowboxers, Clare Dunn
• Saturday performances: Flo Rida, Rachel Platten, Cold War Kids
• Sunday performances: Usher, Jay Pharoah (special guest host); Gavin DeGraw, Jamie N Commons

Media Day

Media Day features both Alabama and Clemson’s team and coaching staff. Attendees can watch their favorite players and listen to interviews while experiencing more than 1,000 media members preview the national championship game.

• Date: Saturday, Jan. 7
• Time: Alabama, 9 a.m.; Clemson; 10:30 a.m.
• Location: Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa
• Admission: Free

Extra Yard 5K

The Extra Yard 5K is the official road race of the College Football Playoff. This family-friendly 3.1-mile race will take place around downtown Tampa’s Championship Campus and will incorporate a scenic route down a portion of Bayshore Boulevard. There will also be a 1-mile Family Fun Run. All proceeds benefit Extra Yard for Teachers, the College Football Playoff Foundation’s primary initiative that honors, celebrates, inspires and empowers teachers.

• Date: Sunday, Jan. 8
• Time: 5K, 8 a.m.; Fun Run, 9 a.m.
• Location: Race starts at Amalie Arena
• Admission: $30 for the 5K race, $15 for the 1-Mil Family Fun Run
• 5K admission includes: one ticket to Playoff Fan Central, a participant shirt (for the first 1,000 only), a finisher’s medal, a chipped race bib and an entry for one into the drawing to win two tickets to the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
• Fun Run admission includes: one ticket to Playoff Fan Central, a chipped race bib and entry for one into the drawing to win two tickets to the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
• Registration: Registration ends Thursday, Jan. 5 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. To register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Tampa/ExtraYard5K.

Championship Beach Bash

The Tampa Bay Sports Commission and the College Football Playoff National Championship will host the Championship Beach Bash at Pier 60 Park on Clearwater Beach. The family-friendly event features a pep rally-type atmosphere.

• Date: Sunday, Jan. 8
• Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Location: Pier 60 Park, at the end of Causeway Blvd, Clearwater Beach
• Admission: Free
• Activities: Family-friendly entertainment, live music, inflatables, games, appearances by the Alabama and Clemson bands, cheerleaders and special guests

Taste of the Championship

Sample gourmet food and beverages representing geographic regions from around the country from local restaurants. Proceeds benefit the College Football Playoff Foundation.

• Date: Sunday, Jan. 8
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa
• Participating restaurants: 717 South, Ava, Bern’s Steak House, Boca Kitchen, Bar & Market, Cigar City BrewPub, The Columbia, Datz, Fodder & Shine, Goody Goody, Haven, Mad Dogs and Englishmen, Mise en Place, Parkshore Grill, The Refinery, Roux and Ulele.
• Admission: $250. To purchase tickets, visit https://tix.extremetix.com/webtix/4120.

Championship Tailgate

The Championship Tailgate features the games, sponsor activities, concessions and ESPN broadcast sets. Multi-platinum singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley will headline the Capital One Quicksivler Music Stage, with The Shadowboxers playing as the opening act.

• Date: Monday, Jan. 9
• Time: Noon to 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Outside of Raymond James Stadium
• Admission: Free for all national championship game ticket holders

Image and video via the Tampa Bay Sports Commission YouTube channel