If you notice tens of thousands of people descending on the Georgia State Stadium this weekend — before the Panthers even play their first game in it — here's why.
The 2017 MetroPCS Corky Kell Classic, a long-running sporting event that kicks off the competitive high school football season in Georgia, will debut at the former Turner Field Friday and Saturday. It was previously held at the soon-to-be demolished Georgia Dome.
Event organizers expect up to 65,000 people over the two days, but don’t foresee traffic issues. Police will direct traffic, and all parking lots surrounding the stadium will open.
“It will be basically the same traffic flow/pattern as the Braves games had but with fans arriving over a much more spread-out period of time,” a spokesman said. “Corky Kell avoided traffic issues for its time at the Dome and this should be the same.”
Still, it can’t hurt for commuters to note that organizers expect 12,000 to 15,000 on Friday over two games, with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. About 50,000 people spread out over five games may show up on Saturday — the first game starts at 9 a.m. and the last begins at 8:45 p.m.
The only gate open will be the main fan pavilion.
The event begins Thursday in Macon before skipping over to Atlanta. A 26-year tradition, the Classic now features a three-day, nine-game lineup that represents schools from across the state as well as each of the GHSA's four highest classifications.
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