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National championship attendees may not be tailgating due to a policy set forth by host venue, SoFi Stadium. The policy, which is posted on their website, forbids fans from the pregame festivities.
Tailgating is a major part of the college football experience, and without it, we may hear a little less barking from Georgia Bulldog fans ahead of their title matchup with TCU.
The championship game will be played for the first time in SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams. But in the venue’s CFP parking and transportation outlines, a strict “no tailgating” rule has been set.
Tailgating will not be allowed in any SoFi Stadium parking lot.
Going a step further, RV parking won’t be allowed either. That’s going to leave a lot of college football fans searching for a way to pass the time prior to the 7:30 PM kickoff.
As you might’ve guessed, many around the sport are upset. Fans and media have rushed to social media to post their reactions to the news.
Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray said, “No tailgating before the Natty?! What nonsense is this?”
Another notable sports site commented, “SoFi Stadium isn’t allowing tailgating for the National Championship. That’s a disgrace to college football.”
They weren’t the only ones enraged by the policy.
Nothing says college football like no tailgating https://t.co/OwRTnmVvvi
— Lebowski (@MisterLebowski) January 4, 2023
One football fan wrote, “The biggest game on the calendar for college football and no tailgating is allowed What an absolute joke.”
No way this is correct? How do you host a national championship without tailgating?? https://t.co/qhAp6a7ADQ
— Rusty Mansell (@RustyMansell_) January 3, 2023
Of course, some fans will surely look for a way around the rule.
"I'm not 'tailgating,' I'm just having a beer with my friends in the parking space I paid $75 for." https://t.co/rpViqnaepT
— Jeff ☩ ⚓️ (@5stringTex) January 4, 2023
The matchup is set to take place on Monday night with the Georgia Bulldogs defending their crown against upstart TCU. The Horned Frogs upset Michigan in the semifinals to make the surprising appearance while UGA pulled out a thrilling victory over Ohio State.
The final game of the college football season will be sure to entertain, but this absurd tailgating policy set forth for the national championship matchup will put a damper on the pregame.
Related: The shirtless UGA fan from the CFP Semifinal has been identified