Date set for 2011 Chick-fil-A Bowl

Atlanta’s bowl game boasts top ACC and SEC teams, unopposed time slot on ESPN

ATLANTA (April 19, 2011) – The Chick-fil-A Bowl will play its 44th annual rivalry game between the ACC and SEC on Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. EST in the Georgia Dome, Bowl officials announced today. This will mark the 20th New Year’s Eve edition of Atlanta’s bowl game and the 7th in the last 10 years.

The game will feature the first selection from the ACC (after the BCS) against a strong SEC opponent and will be nationally televised by ESPN, running unopposed in its time slot.

“Our game has created an incredible New Year’s Eve tradition in Atlanta,” said Gary Stokan, Chick-fil-A Bowl president and CEO. “Thanks to a prime time unopposed TV time slot, football fans around the country look to us on December 31 for a compelling match-up and unrivaled atmosphere. The date, which falls on a Saturday this year, also provides an easier travel schedule for our fans, giving them the opportunity to experience all that Atlanta has to offer.”

The Chick-fil-A Bowl has been telecast by ESPN every year since 1992 and makes up four of the top 10 most-viewed non-BCS bowl game telecasts in ESPN history. The 2010 edition of the Bowl delivered a TV rating of 5.0 and a peak of 8.4 million viewers, making it the most-viewed Chick-fil-A Bowl in history and the top-rated non-BCS game on ESPN.

“Coming off our most-viewed Chick-fil-A Bowl, we look forward to once again showcasing the Bowl, city of Atlanta and another great matchup between the SEC and ACC to our national audience,” said Kurt Dargis, ESPN’s senior manager, programming.

This year will mark the 20th in which rivals from the ACC and SEC have been matched in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, making it the longest-running rivalry game between the conferences in the nation. Following No.23 Florida State’s 26-17 win over No. 19 South Carolina in 2010, the ACC leads the series 10-9.