Getting to the highly anticipated 2024 SEC Championship game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Texas Longhorns at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, December 7th, is easier than ever with MARTA. With kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m., planning your transportation is key to a smooth game day experience. MARTA, Atlanta’s rapid transit system, is offering enhanced rail service to ensure fans can conveniently reach the stadium and enjoy all the pre-game festivities and the game itself.
Rail Service for Game Day
MARTA’s rail system will be operating on a Saturday schedule with added services to accommodate the large crowds expected for the SEC Championship. Service will begin at approximately 6 a.m. and trains on both the North/South line (between Airport and Lindbergh Center Stations) and the East/West line (between Ashby and King Memorial Stations) will run every 10 minutes. This increased frequency will make it simple for fans coming from various parts of Atlanta to connect to the stadium.
To further streamline transportation directly to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, MARTA will operate a dedicated shuttle train service between Five Points Station and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium/State Farm Arena/GWCC Station. This shuttle will run frequently from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., ensuring a direct and rapid connection for fans heading to the game during peak arrival times. After the game concludes, MARTA will deploy extra-service trains to handle the post-game crowds, allowing for a quick and efficient departure from the stadium area.
| RAIL LINE | SERVICE FREQUENCY | DESTINATIONS | SCHEDULE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Line | 20 minutes | Doraville to Airport | View Schedule |
| Red Line | 20 minutes | North Springs to Airport until game crowd clears*North Springs to Lindbergh Center after game crowd clears | View Schedule |
| Blue Line | 20 minutes | Holmes to Indian Creek | View Schedule |
| Green Line | 20 minutes | Bankhead to King Memorial until 9 p.m. *Bankhead to Vine City after 9 p.m. | View Schedule |
Bus and Streetcar Information
While rail service is significantly enhanced, MARTA buses will operate on their regular Saturday schedules. However, attendees should be aware of possible detours. Routes #3 Martin Luther King Jr Dr/Auburn Ave and #94 Northside Drive will be detoured due to street closures related to game day events. For detailed information on bus route changes, please visit https://www.itsmarta.com/bus-reroutes.aspx.
For those closer to downtown, the Atlanta Streetcar will be running from 8:15 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., providing another transportation option within the city center, though rail may be more direct for reaching Mercedes-Benz Stadium from further distances.
SEC Championship Game Weekend Events
The SEC Championship weekend offers more than just the game itself. Fans can enjoy several events at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) Building B:
Friday, December 6, 2024
- Dr. Pepper SEC FanFare: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 7, 2024
- Dr. Pepper SEC FanFare: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- T-Mobile Championship Concert featuring Dan + Shay: Noon – 1 p.m.
- SEC Championship Game – Georgia vs. Texas at Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Kickoff at 4 p.m. (Gates open at 1:30 p.m.)
MARTA provides convenient access to all these events, with the GWCC/Mercedes-Benz Stadium station serving as the central hub.
Purchasing Your MARTA Fare
To ride MARTA, you’ll need to purchase a Breeze ticket or card. A Breeze Ticket costs $1.00 and a reloadable Breeze Card is $2.00. On top of the card/ticket cost, the fare is $2.50 for a one-way trip or $5.00 for a round trip. If you already have a Breeze card, make sure to check that it hasn’t expired and reload it in advance at breezecard.com to save time on game day. Remember, each rider needs their own Breeze card – fares are not shareable.
For a contactless and convenient option, download the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app. Create an account to purchase your fare directly on your phone. You can buy in-app tickets or load value onto your mobile Breeze card to simply scan and pay at fare gates and on buses. Learn more about the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app at www.itsmarta.com/breeze-mobile.aspx.
Game Day Safety and Important Reminders
For a safe and enjoyable game day experience using MARTA and attending events at GWCC and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, please keep the following in mind:
- Security: All guests entering GWCC Building B and Mercedes-Benz Stadium are required to go through security checks. Note that only clear bags are allowed inside the stadium.
- Assistance: Uniformed MARTA Police Officers and Transit Ambassadors will be readily available throughout the system to provide assistance and ensure passenger safety.
- Train Safety: When riding the train, please stay clear of the doors. Obstructed doors can prevent the trains from operating correctly and cause delays.
- Report Suspicious Activity: MARTA encourages riders to utilize the See & Say 2.0 app to report any suspicious activity. You can download the app at https://itsmarta.com/marta-see-say.aspx. Alternatively, you can call MARTA Police Department directly at 404-848-4911 or text 877-371-8477 for immediate assistance.
By utilizing MARTA, fans can avoid game day traffic and parking hassles, making their trip to the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium efficient and stress-free. Plan your trip, purchase your fare in advance, and get ready to cheer on your team!
