Chick-fil-A Bowl “Nuggets”
THEN and NOW
The modern day Chick-fil-A Bowl has evolved into one of the nation’s premier bowl games:
Take a look at the numbers:
| |
1968-1991
|
1992-2007
|
| Conference Affiliations |
At Large vs At Large
|
ACC#2 vs SEC
|
| Total team payout high mark |
$1.8M
|
$5.83M
|
| Record attendance |
58,737
|
75,406
|
| Avg. attendance |
46.537
|
70,151
|
| Consecutive sellouts |
2
|
12
|
| Record TV Rating |
4.0
|
5.2
|
| Number of Volunteers |
150
|
450
|
Looking for a ticket? Good luck.
The Chick-fil-A Bowl has sold out 11 years in a row and 14 of 16 since moving into the Georgia Dome in 1992. Over the last 10 years, the Chick-fil-A Bowl ranks first in average attendance among all non-BCS bowl games – 71,986per game. The Chick-fil-A Bowl also holds the record for the largest football crowd in the history of the Georgia Dome – 75,406 in 2006 (Georgia v. Virginia Tech).
First in Giving
The Chick-fil-A Bowl leads all bowl games in charitable and scholarship contributions. Last year, the Bowl contributed a record $1.04 million to charities and educational institutions. The Chick-fil-A Bowl has given $3.47 million to various charitable organizations over the last six years.
What’s in a name?
In 2005, Atlanta’s bowl game tradition became the Chick-fil-A Bowl. The extension of the Bowl’s relationship with its first and only title partner, Chick-fil-A, has served not only as a catalyst for the name change, but also for the Bowl’s elevated status. Among other things, the Chick-fil-A Bowl now selects #2 in the ACC, has increased its total team payout to $6.01 million and has upgraded its broadcast agreement with ESPN.
Really Close Games
The Chick-fil-A Bowl is one of the most competitive bowl games in the history of college football. Over the last 20 years, the game has been decided by a mere 8.6 points per game. In its 40-year history, the bowl has recorded 11 games decided by a field goal or less and four one-point games.
THE Rivalry in the South.
The rivalry series between the ACC and SEC is tied at 8 games each since the two conferences first began to battle for regional bragging rights in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in 1992. Teams from the SEC have outscored their ACC rivals 323-322 in what has turned into a very “streaky” series. The ACC won four straight from 1992-1995 followed by five years of SEC victories 1996-2000 which was followed by another four-game ACC run 2001-2004. The SEC has won three straight since 2005 with its last win in 2007 with No. 22 Auburn’s defeat of No. 15 Clemson, 23-20, in overtime. Ten of the last 16 games have been decided by a touchdown or less.