Neutral-site games are navigating unprecedented times, and many are standing on an island waiting to see how the dominoes fall elsewhere before deciding whether their multi-million dollar games will be played in the fall.
The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic, one of the premier neutral-site events, has scheduled three games inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the first two weeks of the season. Those games are threatened by the novel coronavirus pandemic, and like many, the event's staff is waiting for health officials to guide conference commissioners, who will then decide when and whether games will be played this fall.
"As it relates to the upcoming Kickoff Games we will host over the first two weeks of the college football season, right now everything is still in place for the games to be played as scheduled, and that is everyones intent at this time," Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl CEO and president, told 247Sports in a statement.
"We are aware that various contingency plans for the college football season are being discussed, but no decisions have been made. We expect to learn much more about the virus and how to fight it in the coming months and will continue to monitor the situation closely. If in that time the conferences and universities discuss alternative plans for the start of the college football season, then we will work closely with our partner teams and conferences and address them at the appropriate time."
The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic Kickoff Series is scheduled to host games Sept. 5, Sept. 7 and Sept. 12 in Atlanta. The matchups are regional in nature, with ACC, Big 12 and SEC teams involved in the annual series.
West Virginia and Florida State will meet Sept. 5 and Virginia and Georgia will follow up on Sept. 7. North Carolina and Auburn will meet in Week 2 of the season Sept. 12.
Total team payouts average $5.2 million, according to the CFA.
Rumors surrounding the viability of USC and Alabama meeting in Arlington, Texas for its Week 1 matchup at the AdvoCare Classic caught fire this week, with SEC Network personality Paul Finebaum reporting Alabama and TCU were exploring a game to replace USC on the schedule.
USC athletic director Mike Bohn refuted the rumors.
"I enjoy regular conversations with [Alabama athletic director] Greg Byrne," Bohn said on Twitter. "We have every intention of playing our game against Alabama. Id like to remind all our fans that this is an uncertain time and there will be much disinformation. We continue to explore every model for the 2020 football season. We will certainly communicate relevant updates when we have them."
Ole Miss and Baylor are scheduled to play Sept. 5 in the Texas Kickoff inside NRG Stadium in Houston.
Meanwhile, neutral-site events are practicing protective measures as recommended by health officials.
"Currently our primary concern is to make sure our team members and their families are safe and healthy," Stokan said. "We are continuing to follow all social distancing and mitigation guidelines and we are electing to continue to work remotely during this challenging time.
"Additionally, we have joined the fight against the Coronavirus by supporting Governor Kemp and his effort to increase testing by donating $1,090,300 to fund the Augusta University ExpressCare App. The App provides a quick and easy solution to increase COVID-19 screening and testing in Georgia. As college footballs most charitable bowl organization, it is our mission to give back to our community in times of great need."
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What will happen to neutral-site games amid COVID-19 pandemic? - 247Sports
