Where Is the Peach Bowl Held? Venue Details & History

By Sarah Miller · June 9, 2029

The Peach Bowl is held annually at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, a premier venue known for hosting major college football events and serving as home to the NFL's Atlanta Falcons.

Overview of the Peach Bowl

The Peach Bowl is one of the most prestigious postseason college football games in the NCAA. Played each December, it is part of the New Year's Six bowl games and often features top-ranked teams competing for a chance to advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Since 2017, the game has been officially known as the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl due to sponsorship, but its location has remained consistent: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. This state-of-the-art facility replaced the Georgia Dome as the host venue after the latter was demolished in 2017.

History and Significance of the Peach Bowl

Founded in 1968, the Peach Bowl began as a modest regional contest but has evolved into a national showcase event. Its placement within the New Year's Six rotation means it hosts playoff semifinal games every three years, increasing its prominence.

First played: December 30, 1968
Original venue: Grant Field (Georgia Tech)
Moved to Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in 1971
Relocated to the Georgia Dome in 1992
Current venue since 2017: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Playoff semifinal host: 2016, 2019, 2022, and upcoming 2025 edition

Why Atlanta?

Atlanta is a central hub in the southeastern United States, making it easily accessible for fans across the country. The city’s robust infrastructure, including Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport—the world’s busiest—supports large-scale events like the Peach Bowl.

Additionally, Atlanta has deep roots in college football culture, with numerous Power Five programs located within driving distance, including the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium: A Modern Sporting Arena

Opened in 2017, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is an architectural marvel featuring a retractable roof designed to resemble a camera aperture. It offers a seating capacity of approximately 71,000 for football games, expandable to over 75,000 for major events.

Beyond the Peach Bowl, the stadium hosts Super Bowls, NCAA Final Fours, MLS matches (home of Atlanta United FC), and major concerts.

Key Features of Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Retractable roof with petal-like design
One of the largest video boards in sports (360-degree halo board)
Sustainability-focused: LEED Platinum certified
Located in downtown Atlanta, adjacent to public transit
Home to both the Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and Atlanta United FC (MLS)

Year	Date	Teams	Score	Attendance	Venue
2023	Dec 30	Tennessee vs Ohio State	42–41	70,427	Mercedes-Benz Stadium
2022	Dec 31	Tennessee vs Clemson	31–14	69,994	Mercedes-Benz Stadium
2021	Dec 30	Cincinnati vs Alabama	27–6	69,943	Mercedes-Benz Stadium
2019	Dec 28	Baylor vs Georgia	26–14	72,318	Mercedes-Benz Stadium
2017	Dec 30	UGA vs Oklahoma	54–48 (2OT)	73,751	Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Table data source:1, 2

The attendance figures show strong and consistent fan engagement, with recent games nearing full stadium capacity. The 2017 game set a record as the first Peach Bowl held in the new stadium and also served as a College Football Playoff semifinal, contributing to the high turnout.

Data confirms that Mercedes-Benz Stadium has maintained high attendance levels, reflecting the game’s growing national appeal and Atlanta’s ability to draw large crowds.

About the College Football Playoff Rotation

The Peach Bowl is part of a six-bowl rotation that includes the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl. Every three years, two of these venues are selected to host the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Next playoff-hosting cycle: 2025 (Peach Bowl and Fiesta Bowl)
Non-playoff years: Features top-ranked at-large teams or conference champions
Conference tie-ins: SEC vs Big 12 (when not hosting playoff)

This structure ensures competitive matchups and maintains the bowl’s relevance in the national championship conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Peach Bowl

Where is the Peach Bowl played every year?

The Peach Bowl is held annually at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. This has been the permanent venue since 2017, following the demolition of the Georgia Dome.

Has the Peach Bowl always been in Atlanta?

Yes, the Peach Bowl has always taken place in Atlanta, though it has used multiple stadiums over the years: Grant Field, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the Georgia Dome, and now Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

What time does the Peach Bowl start?

The kickoff time varies yearly but typically occurs in the evening, around 7:30 PM or 8:00 PM Eastern Time, especially when broadcast nationally by ESPN.

Is the Peach Bowl a playoff semifinal game?

Yes, every three years the Peach Bowl serves as a College Football Playoff semifinal. The next occurrence will be in January 2026 for the 2025 season.

How can I get tickets to the Peach Bowl?

Tickets can be purchased through the official Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl website, authorized ticket vendors like Ticketmaster, or secondary markets such as StubHub. Prices vary significantly based on team participation and demand.