For the first time in the history of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), two teams from the same conference will meet for the national championship as Louisiana State University and the University of Alabama, both from the Southeastern Conference, will play in the 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 in New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. (CT) and will be televised by ESPN.
It is fitting to have the national title battle between SEC teams hosted by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans as the SEC's relationship with the bowl dates back to the original Sugar Bowl Classic in 1935 and the city has also hosted 22 National Champions in the Sugar Bowl's 78-year history.
See NOTAM for New Orleans BCS Championship Game for Jan 9-10, 2012.
Officials with the Mercedes-Benz Superdome are encouraging fans to arrive early for Monday's BCS Championship game between the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide. Large crowds are predicted and standard security measures will be in place, including pat downs and bag checks with separate lines for males and females.
In addition, only fans with tickets to the game are encouraged to celebrate in and around the Superdome as crowd control measures and special traffic patterns will be in place. Champions Square also will not broadcast the game from inside the Superdome.
"We anticipate an electric atmosphere in and around the Superdome for the national championship game," says SMG Senior Vice President Doug Thornton. "Fans need to plan accordingly and arrive early. If you don't have a ticket to the game, we encourage you to make plans to watch it elsewhere as it will not be shown on the big screen in Champions Square."
Superdome officials have released the following information about the game:
- Time - Kick-Off is 7:30 p.m. and doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
- Tickets - The BCS Championship Game is a complete sell-out. The re-selling of tickets is strictly prohibited on Superdome and New Orleans Arena property. Violators are subject to arrest and/or ticket forfeiture.
- Parking - Superdome and Champions Square Garage will open at 6:30 a.m. and parking is $25.00 per car. There will be no RV or non-credentialed bus parking on the streets and surface lots adjacent to the Superdome and New Orleans Arena.
Champions Square - located between the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and the Hyatt Regency Hotel
o Opens at 2:00 p.m.
o Free Admission
o The BCS Championship Game will not be broadcast on the Champions Square video screen
o Food and beverage offerings on site
o Outside food and beverage is not permitted
o Live entertainment by Mojeaux Band, and the Alabama and LSU bands
o Only fans with tickets to the game are encouraged to attend due to the limited space of the area
- Security Procedures - A full body pat-down and bag check will be performed prior to entering the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. -Staff Report