College football will kick off in grand fashion when Alabama and Florida State go toe-to-toe on September 2.

Another grand occasion will occur when Atlanta will host its first college football game in the confines of the new Mercedes Benz Stadium.

At a cost estimated at over $1 billion, the new stadium will seat 71,000 with the ability to expand to 83,000 seats. The facility also includes a unique pinwheel-shaped roof and a 360 degree halo board.

Mercedes Benz Stadium officially opens August 26 as the Atlanta Falcons entertain the Arizona Cardinals.

With the stadium’s opening less than two months away, Peach Bowl President and CEO Gary Stokan looked ahead to the grand occasion on The Gary Harris Show.

Stokan provided an update relative to the progress of the stadium’s construction.

“I was in there four days ago and the roof’s working. They were laying the field. The 360-degree halo board is in, which is going to be an unbelievable experience in itself. They’re ready to go.” Stokan said.

The Peach Bowl’s president and CEO did admit to having concerns earlier in the construction process as far as the stadium being completed on time.

“I was a little worried when they moved the soccer game back, but to see the progress they’ve made over the last month is just phenomenal and that’s typically what happens in construction and building.” Stokan mentioned.

Stokan also touched on the fan friendly aspects of Mercedes Benz Stadium.

“It is going to be an awesome fan experience from not only the art that’s in there, but the halo board, the prices of the food and the beverage are going to be back to reality. You’re not going to have to pay huge markups, and I credit (Atlanta Falcons owner) Arthur Blank for all that, putting a lot of his own money into this new stadium.” Stokan said.

Stokan also discussed his excitement about seeing college football games inside the new stadium including the season’s national championship game and Alabama’s relationship with Atlanta under Nick Saban.

Catch The Gary Harris Show every weekday from 9-11 AM on Tide 102.9/100.9 and the radioPup app.

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