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This story has been updated.
The UCF Knights will travel to Atlanta for its first game of the season against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets this Saturday. They’re coming off a 16-13 win at FSU last Saturday before the Knights roll into town.
Sept. 19 will mark the third contest between UCF and Georgia Tech — the last matchup was on Sept. 2, 2000 and the Yellow Jackets won 21-17.
This is not the Knights’ first trip to Atlanta, however. Remember that sweet 34-27 victory against the Auburn Tigers in the 2018 Peach Bowl?
This trip will be very different from those in years past, however, as COVID-19 switches things up in the college football world. Attendance at Bobby Dodd Stadium has been approved for 20% capacity, or about 11,000 fans.
Here’s your guide to traveling to Atlanta for the game. But the most important thing to remember is to always rep the Black and Gold wherever you are in Georgia!
UCF at GT game information
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Bobby Dodd Stadium, 177 North Avenue NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Local airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
Catching the game somewhere else? Watch the Knights vs. the Yellow Jackets at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
Weather
As of Thursday at noon, The Weather Channel forecast for this weekend in Atlanta shows:
Friday: Mostly cloudy, 10% chance of rain, 82°/63°
Saturday (Game Day!): Cloudy skies, 0% chance of rain (!!!), 71°/54°, winds east-northeast at 10-15 mph, UV index at 5, sunset at 7:37 p.m.
Sunday: Partly cloudy, 10% chance of rain, 71°/50°
This will be updated daily.
Sally is now a post-tropical depression making its way over Georgia and into South Carolina. Stay tuned to Black & Gold Banneret and @danimedinanews on Twitter for the latest weather updates.
WEATHER: Will Hurricane #Sally impact #UCF at Georgia Tech on Saturday? Follow for updates. #Sally is currently a Category 2, but is expected to weaken to a depression by Thursday after making landfall on the Gulf Coast on Tuesday.
— Daniella Medina (@danimedinanews) September 14, 2020
Thread: @UCF_Banneret
Still need a ticket?
UCF Athletics announced it would not be selling any tickets for away games.
“Fans interested in attending games at other stadiums will need to either purchase tickets directly through the home team’s ticket office or through the secondary market,” UCF Athletics said.
There are still single game tickets available on StubHub here. Tickets start at $37 and are available in groups of 2, 4 or 6.
Keep in mind that due to COVID-19, fans must stay in their reserved seats and cannot interact with fans in other seating clusters.
Tailgating
Although tailgating on campus was previously permitted, Georgia Tech Athletics announced Tuesday there would be no on-campus tailgating permitted ahead of Saturday’s game.
“This is not a decision that was made lightly. However, at this time, we feel that the safest course of action is to invite fans to come straight from their vehicles to Bobby Dodd Stadium, where we can better safeguard the health and safety of our students, staff and visitors through the protocols that we have in place designed to mitigate the risk of the transmission of Covid-19,” the statement said.
GAMEDAY UPDATE:
— Georgia Tech Sports (@GTAthletics) September 15, 2020
On-campus tailgating will not be permitted for the @GeorgiaTechFB 2020 home opener versus UCF on Saturday.https://t.co/QYWsFIQUgI pic.twitter.com/KGrJWfau4o
Bobby Dodd: COVID-19, parking, bag policy and everything else you should know
- Face masks are required at Bobby Dodd Stadium for those ages 2 and up. Exceptions include: sitting in your assigned seat, while eating or drinking, at fixed eating or drinking areas in club areas
- Georgia Tech has adopted contactless ticketing and parking this season
- Tickets will have designated entrance gate to allow for an even distribution of fans throughout the stadium
- Parking lots will open two hours prior to kickoff (1:30 p.m.) and stadium gates will open 90 minutes prior to kickoff (2 p.m.).
- Bag policy has been amended for the “contactless” 2020 season: Each fan can bring in one (1) 1-gallon clear/resealable Ziploc style bag only. All other bags are prohibited (including clear bags and small clutch bags previously permitted). A complimentary bag check outside the stadium will be available for bags that do not comply with stadium policy and cannot be returned to the owner’s vehicle
- Each fan can bring in one (1) sealed bottle of water up to 1 liter and a travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer
- All fans entering the stadium will be required to walk through metal detectors upon entry
- For the first time, alcohol will be sold in general seating areas of the stadium
- Concession stands and merchandise booths will maintain social distancing and restrooms have been redesigned with designated entry and exit points
- Water fountains and water bottle filling stations will be routinely sanitized throughout the game
- Elevators in the stadium will be reduced to 25% capacity
- The following festivities will not be held this year: Yellow Jacket Alley, marching band pre-show, 404 Tailgate and Wreckfest. The Georgia Tech Marching Band, cheer team and dance team will not be permitted to perform on the field
Things to do in Atlanta
Big Sky Buckhead will host a Black and Gold Kickoff Party on Friday night at 7 p.m. with a performance by UCF alumnus DJ Chizzle. General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased online here. Admission to Friday’s event provides half-off bottomless mimosas during Saturday and Sunday brunch. Limited capacity and COVID-19 protocol will be in place.
Members of the Atlanta UCF Alumni Association compiled this list for Black & Gold Banneret of the best things to do, eat and drink while in the area:
- Georgia Beer Garden: This is where the Atlanta chapter hosts UCF watch parties. Although they are not open for dine-in, support and order to-go!
- Vortex Bar: There’s something you can rub for good luck…
- The Battery Atlanta: Home to Truist Park, you can visit select shops, restaurants and entertainment experiences
- Hiking trails: Chattahoochee River Trail, Kennesaw Mountain
- The BeltLine, Ponce City Market and Piedmont Park: Walk or rent a bike or scooter to see the city
- College Football Hall of Fame: Fun fact — the new CEO, Kimberly Beaudin, is a UCF alumna!
- The Slutty Vegan: Great spot for vegan burgers
- Magic City Gentleman’s Club: Best chicken wings in the city!
- Fox Bros Bar-B-Q: Best in the south! Eat on the patio in Inman Park, or get it to-go from the “Que-osk” in Midtown
- Murphy’s: A UCF alum-owned restaurant where the north Atlanta crowd meets up to watch UCF games. You might run into Dale Murphy while you’re there!
- Victory Sandwich Bar: Get a Jack and Coke slushie and a game of ping pong in
Other places to stop at while in Atlanta:
- Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks
- Hot Dog Pete’s
- Second Self Beer Company
- Varuni Napoli
- The Local
- The Albert
- Moe’s & Joe’s Tavern
- Orpheus Brewing
- The Varsity
- SweetWater Brewing Company
Daniella Medina is a contributing writer for Black & Gold Banneret. Follow her on Twitter @danimedinanews.