Peach Bowl (college football)

Peach Bowl (college football)
Name	Peach Bowl
Stadium	Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Location	Atlanta, Georgia
Previous stadiums	Georgia Dome (1993–2016), Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium (1971–1992)
Operated	1968–present
Conference tie-ins	College Football Playoff (semifinal years), SEC, ACC, The American
Previous conference tie-ins	At-large

Peach Bowl (college football) is a major annual postseason college football bowl game played in Atlanta, Georgia. Since its inception in 1968, the game has grown from a regional contest into a premier event, becoming a permanent host of the College Football Playoff semifinal rotation. The game is currently played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and features high-profile matchups between top teams from conferences like the SEC and the ACC.

History

The game was first played in 1968 at Grant Field on the campus of the Georgia Tech, organized by the Atlanta Lions Club to promote tourism. It moved to Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in 1971, establishing a more permanent home. A significant turning point occurred in 1993 when the game relocated to the Georgia Dome and secured a major television contract with ESPN, elevating its national profile. The Peach Bowl's prestige was cemented when it was selected as one of the six bowls in the College Football Playoff system starting in the 2014 season, and it now hosts a semifinal every three years. The game moved to its current venue, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in 2017.

Game results

The inaugural game in 1968 saw LSU defeat Florida State. Historically, the SEC holds the most victories in the contest. Notable champions include the Georgia Bulldogs, who have won multiple times, and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The game has frequently decided national championship contention, especially since joining the College Football Playoff, with participants like the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Bearcats appearing in the playoff era. A complete list of scores, participating teams, and MVPs is maintained by the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl organization.

Notable games

The 2016 edition featured the Alabama Crimson Tide defeating the Washington Huskies in a College Football Playoff semifinal. In 2020, the Cincinnati Bearcats made history as the first team from the American Athletic Conference to qualify for the College Football Playoff, falling to the Alabama Crimson Tide. The 2022 Peach Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal, saw the Georgia Bulldogs outlast the Ohio State Buckeyes in a dramatic 42-41 victory en route to the national championship. Another classic occurred in 2014, when the TCU Horned Frogs staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the Ole Miss Rebels.

Team selection and tie-ins

For years when it is not a College Football Playoff semifinal, the Peach Bowl has contractual conference affiliations. It typically hosts the champion of the American Athletic Conference or an at-large selection against a team from the SEC or ACC. The selection is part of the New Year's Six bowl arrangement, ensuring a matchup of highly ranked teams. The College Football Playoff selection committee determines the participants for the semifinal years, often pitting conference champions like the Big Ten winner against a top at-large team.

Sponsorship and naming

The game has had several title sponsors throughout its history. From 1997 to 2005, it was known as the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl after the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain. The sponsorship lapsed briefly before Chick-fil-A returned as title sponsor in 2013, leading to the name Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Other past sponsors include Peach Bowl, Inc., the game's own organizing body. The sponsorship is a key component of the game's financial model and marketing, with the current agreement extending the partnership with Chick-fil-A through the 2025 season.

Broadcasters

The game has been televised nationally for decades. Early broadcasts were handled by networks like ABC and CBS. Since 1993, ESPN has held the exclusive television rights, broadcasting the game on its flagship channel or ABC. The College Football Playoff semifinal broadcasts are also produced by ESPN, featuring their top commentary teams, including analysts like Kirk Herbstreit and play-by-play announcers such as Chris Fowler. Radio broadcast rights are typically held by ESPN Radio and local affiliates of the participating teams.

Category:College football bowl games Category:Sports competitions in Atlanta Category:1968 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)