Aug. 1, 2006

2006 Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Site

JACKSONVILLE, FL - Tickets for the 2006 Dr Pepper Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship Game will go on sale to the public on Tuesday, August 1. The game, which matches the top team from the Atlantic Division and the top team from the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference, will take place at Alltel Stadium on Saturday, December 2, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. Last year, Florida State defeated Virginia Tech in a stunning upset to win the first ACC Championship title.

Jacksonville became home of the ACC Football Championship Game August 19, 2004 when it beat several top-tier cities to win the bid as host city beginning with the inaugural game on December 3, 2005. This year marks the second year of a two-year contractual agreement that can be renewed for another two years at the option of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"To keep the game, a sellout is necessary and will virtually guarantee that Jacksonville remains the host city for the ACC Championship Game -- one of college football's premiere events," said Rick Catlett, president of the Gator Bowl Association. The inaugural ACC Football Championship Game drew an estimated 25,000 - 30,000 out of town visitors resulting in a $27 - $30 million total economic impact to the North Florida area.

ACC football kicks off the weekend of September 2 and continues on to the Monday night showdown on September 4 between Florida State and Miami. The season culminates on ACC Championship Game weekend Friday, December 1, 2006 beginning with the ACC Fanfest in the Pepsi Pavilion at Alltel Stadium at 10 a.m., followed by the ACC Coaches and Awards Luncheon at noon and the ACC Legends Reception at 6 p.m. Entertainment will continue for fans at the ACC Championship Street Festival at the Jacksonville Landing culminating in a fireworks display at 10 p.m. Game day begins with the ACC Football Championship FanFest at 8 a.m. and will remain open until the 1:00 p.m. kickoff of the Second Annual ACC Football Championship Game.

To purchase ACC Football Championship game tickets and parking passes go to www.accchampionship.com. Tickets are priced at $80 for lower level seats and $60 for upper level seats. Parking passes can be purchased for $20.

The ACC Football Championship Game is an official event of The Gator Bowl Association, a 501(c) 3 not-for profit organization whose mission is to provide Northeast Florida with the very best in college athletics and related activities in order to maximize positive impact on the area's economy, national image and community pride. The Association's primary charitable activities are focused on education and youth in the North Florida area.

For more information about the ACC Football Championship Game, events or volunteer opportunities, please visit www.gatorbowl.com or call the Gator Bowl Association at (904) 798-1700.

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