The Pac-12 Conference will stage its annual Football Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara for the next three years, Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott announced today.
The first Pac-12 Football Championship Game will take place on Friday, Dec. 5, and will feature the Pac-12 North champion versus the Pac-12 South champion.
The move to a neutral site follows three years of playing the game at the home stadiums of one of its participants, and gives the conference the opportunity to host its biggest game in a state-of-the-art stadium that promises to offer fans the best experience possible.
“Pac-12 football is among the deepest and best football conferences in the country,” said Scott. “Our Football Championship Game is important for selecting a team for the Rose Bowl and possibly the College Football Playoff, and we are thrilled to offer student-athletes and their fans the ultimate venue to culminate a successful season.”
Levi’s® Stadium is scheduled to open for the 2014 football season as the new home for the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers. The facility will serve as the site for Super Bowl L in 2016 and the annual Fight Hunger Bowl beginning this season, and will feature new and exciting ways for them to experience a live event.
“The Pac-12 has a tremendous following in the Bay Area, which makes Levi’s® Stadium a fitting host for its marquee game,” said Jed York, CEO of the San Francisco 49ers. “We are excited to provide Pac-12 student-athletes, and their fans from across the region, an unparalleled experience for their Football Championship.”
The growing importance of this game makes it a must-attend event for all Pac-12 football fans. Tickets for the 2014 Pac-12 Football Championship Game go on sale to season ticket holders and donors of each Pac-12 institution starting May 19 at 10 a.m. PT, and then will open to the general public beginning on May 23 at 10 a.m. PT. All tickets will be available on Pac-12.com/tickets.
Since its inception three years ago, Oregon, Stanford, and Arizona State have hosted the Pac-12 Football Championship Game, respectively, as the division winner with the best overall conference record. Last year, Pac-12 North champion Stanford defeated Pac-12 South champion Arizona State, 38-14, to earn a berth to the Rose Bowl.
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports
Again in the interests of full disclusre I am a former Mid-towner.
Game Time selection, always a sticking point with ESPN and its networks or any of the over-the-air nets, is critical for viewership off the Coast.
An early (noon/3PM in the Eastern markets) or 5PM (8 in the East) KO would be best. The earlier one takes the Big 12 head-on (a win) and may avoid a head to head match with the SEC—-an event that should be avoided at all costs and is a big loss!
The 5PM KO takes on the ACC championship head on and would garner a big audience in most of the country unless the ACC is a Virginia Tech/Florida State matchup (very likely).
Worst scenario is a 7 or 8 PM PST KO which means 2/3 of the country would not tune in and be a big loss for the Pac 12.
The vast majority of serious college football fans are in the Deep South, mid-Atlantic and Midwest areas. Real college football junkies are not on the West Coast!
Should be a great venue and a chance top show off the South Bay if properly time-slotted..
I’m sad to say, but game time will be determined by the networks who have their eye on viewership numbers, not the convenience of West Coast fans.
A sticking issue for weekday games at Levi’s Stadium will be the lack of parking. This is not a big problem on weekends when local businesses and Mission College will rent out their vacant staff and student parking lots.