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Atlanta gearing up for 2025 College Football Playoff Championships with star-studded events

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Atlanta gearing up for 2025 College Football Playoff Championships with star-studded events


January 20, 2025, may be college football’s biggest night with millions of eyes on Atlanta, but its reach extends far beyond just a game on the field.

“We want this to be an event for the whole community,” said Rich Clark, executive director of the College Football Playoff.

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For Atlanta’s national championship organizing committee, that means planning events designed to bring the whole family together.

On Thursday afternoon, the committee announced its lineup of recording artists who will perform on Jan. 18 and 19 at State Farm Arena.

“The weekend’s initial needle-drop will take place on the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! stage on Saturday, Jan. 18, with performances by five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning rap icon Lil Wayne and GRAMMY®-nominated and award-winning hip-hop musician GloRilla. The second night, Sunday, Jan. 19, will feature diamond-certified GRAMMY®-nominated pop powerhouse Camila Cabello, British singer-songwriter and Apple Music’s Up Next Artist Myles Smith, and Nashville-based singer-songwriter and social media sensation Knox.”

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PREVIOUS STORY: Lil Wayne, GloRilla and Camila Cabello to headline college football concert series in Atlanta

The artists span multiple genres, aiming to provide something for everyone. Beyond the music, there will be a food event, an interactive fan experience called “Playoff Fan Central,” and a tailgate with even more music.

“There is something for everyone to be involved in, even if you’re not a football fan,” Clark said. “If you like food, there’s something for you. If you like to run, there’s something to do. If you like music, it’s there for you.”

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Organizers emphasize that while much of the event is about football and fun, they are also using the platform to give back to teachers and schools throughout Georgia.

“To come in and have a football game and then leave without having done something meaningful of a legacy nature would just not feel right,” said Britton Banowsky, executive director of the College Football Playoff Foundation.

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Atlanta will be the first city to host the College Football Playoff National Championship for a second time. This year also marks the first expansion of the playoff from four teams to 12.

The ultimate goal in January is to surpass the success of the last championship event held in Atlanta.

“These events are a great way to show off all the great amenities we have here,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “Visitors get to experience it for the first time, while we get to enjoy what we already know is special about Atlanta.”

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Tickets for the two AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! concerts will go on sale on Monday, Nov. 25, at 10 a.m. ET through Ticketmaster and CollegeFootballPlayoff.com/ppl.

Additionally, the CFP announced the lineup for the Allstate Championship Tailgate, which will kick off game day festivities for the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship. The event will take place outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET in Georgia International Plaza and The Home Depot Backyard.

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Headlining the Allstate Championship Tailgate on the Capital One Music Stage will be award-winning global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. Fans can also enjoy interactive games, sponsor activations, concessions, live ESPN broadcasts, and performances by each team’s marching band throughout the day.



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Atlanta, GA

1 teenage girl killed, another injured in shooting at Piedmont Park, police say

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1 teenage girl killed, another injured in shooting at Piedmont Park, police say


Editor’s note: The video above is from an earlier report.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A teenage girl was killed and another was injured in a shooting at Piedmont Park on Saturday night, according to Atlanta police.

The shooting prompted a large police response to the Midtown Atlanta park around 9 p.m., soon after a festival there celebrating the city’s 404 Day, which drew thousands of people, wrapped up.

Upon arrival, officers located two girls with gunshot wounds.

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Paramedics pronounced one victim, a 16-year-old, dead at the scene. Her identity has not been released.

The second victim, a 15-year-old, was alert, conscious and breathing, and was taken to the hospital, police said.

Soon after the incident, a witness told Atlanta News First that hundreds of people took off running after dozens of shots were fired.

Police said the park’s permitted 404 Day festival concluded around 7:45 p.m.

“At this time, there is no information indicating that the shooting is connected to that event,” police said.

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Instead, the department’s “preliminary investigation indicates the incident stemmed from an unpermitted gathering that occurred near the far west end of the park,” the opposite side of the park from where the festival was being held, police said.

Earlier, a witness told Atlanta News First there was also a “teen takeover” event in the park Saturday night.

There is a large police presence at Piedmont Park on Saturday night.

Officers were seen gathered around Lake Clara Meer in the heart of the park.

Police shut down surrounding streets, and video captured an ambulance at 12th Street NE and Piedmont Avenue, at the southwest corner of the park.

Police have not announced suspects.

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This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.



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Atlanta, GA

Driver dies after head-on crash with MARTA bus in NW Atlanta

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Driver dies after head-on crash with MARTA bus in NW Atlanta


A driver died on April 4, 2026, after colliding head-on with a MARTA bus in northwest Atlanta. (FOX 5) 

A Jeep driver died in the hospital Saturday morning after their SUV crossed into oncoming traffic and hit a MARTA bus in northwest Atlanta.

What we know:

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Atlanta police responded to the crash around 8:14 a.m. near 266 Hamilton E. Holmes Drive NW.

When they arrived, they discovered a MARTA bus, and a Jeep Patriot had collided head-on. 

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The driver of the Jeep Patriot was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and later died from their injuries. 

No one on the bus was reportedly injured, police said, 

Investigators said that the Jeep Patriot had crossed into the opposing travel lane when it crashed into the MARTA bus. 

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An investigation is ongoing. 

What we don’t know:

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Authorities have not yet released the name of the driver who died. 

It also remains unclear why the Jeep traveled into the opposing lane of traffic before the impact.

The Source: Information in this report comes from the Atlanta Police Department. 

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Atlanta gears up for 404 Day 2026

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Atlanta gears up for 404 Day 2026


Atlanta is set to celebrate its rich culture and global influence this Saturday with a massive lineup of 404 Day events, including a downtown parade, a 5K run, and a music festival at Piedmont Park.

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