It's Official: CFB Hall Of Fame Moves To Atlanta

ATLANTA (September 24, 2009) – The College Football Hall of Fame is relocating to Atlanta and is expected to open a new $50 million facility in the fall of 2012.

The decision to move to Atlanta was made by the National Football Foundation’s Board of Directors. The National Football Foundation has operated the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. since 1995. It was established in 1951.

“We have had a great run in South Bend for the past 15 years, and it’s been a wonderful showcase for us and our mission,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “There are a lot of special people in South Bend, and we want to thank Mayor Luecke and all of his constituents for their support over the years. As we looked to the future, the NFF Board determined that the Atlanta proposal presented a powerful opportunity for reaching fans around the country.”

Several sites are still being considered, but it is likely the new College Football Hall of Fame facility will be adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta in close proximity to other attractions including the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Children’s Museum and the future Center for Civil & Human Rights.

The final site selection is expected to be announced later this year. Facility design for the building project is expected to be complete later this fall with construction on the 50,000-square-foot structure beginning next spring.

“An impressive group from Atlanta has pulled together the financial resources and an extremely compelling plan that will help us build a new platform for the future,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “Accepting their plan will create a new high-tech facility that will showcase the legends of our sport and build on the momentum and interest that we have been able to generate in South Bend.”

Metro Atlanta’s population of 5.3 million and its convention traffic of more than five million annual visitors are expected to significantly bolster yearly visitor figures for the Hall and ensure its long-term growth and prosperity.

Other benefits for the Hall’s relocation to Atlanta include a critical mass of downtown entertainment attractions, superior access via the country’s busiest airport and an inviting year-round climate.

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin said, “The City of Atlanta is excited to welcome the College Football Hall of Fame to downtown Atlanta. This major tourism venue will be a welcomed attraction to downtown where we already have the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coke, the CNN Center, Centennial Park and others. I’m especially proud of the work done by the Atlanta Development Authority and their partners in attracting the College Football Hall of Fame to our city.”

Atlanta also makes sense for the Hall’s relocation because it is home to several major annual college football events such as the Chick-fil-A Bowl, Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, SEC Football Championship and the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic for historically black colleges. Metro Atlanta also boasts major collegiate programs including Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia and Georgia State, which begins playing football next year. Attendance for those events and Atlanta’s four professional teams tops four million each year.

Atlanta also boasts more corporate headquarters for college football sponsors than any other market – including Chick-fil-A, AT&T, Coca-Cola and The Home Depot – and ranks fourth nationally in total number of corporate headquarters.

“I am thrilled to welcome the College Football Hall of Fame to Georgia,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Atlanta is the ideal location for this unique attraction, and I am confident both Georgians and tourists to our state will visit often. College football is a big part of our culture here in the South, so it makes perfect sense to place the Hall of Fame right here in the cradle of support for this great sport.”

Through a new partnership between the National Football Foundation and the Chick-fil-A Bowl, once constructed, the Hall will be operated locally by the Chick-fil-A Bowl. This will provide a built-in experienced management structure and a direct tie to a 42-year college football tradition in Atlanta with strong ties to the community.

“Atlanta is a true mecca for college football. It’s our way of life and we’re passionate about it,” said Gary Stokan, president and CEO of the Chick-fil-A Bowl. “Atlanta will showcase this national treasure like never before and provide fans superior access and an improved experience.”

The Chick-fil-A Bowl and its corporate partner, Chick-fil-A, have each committed $5 million for the new College Football Hall of Fame facility.