Nashville Eyes Future College Football Playoff Games at Nissan Stadium
Nashville Eyes College Football Playoff as Postseason Expands
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The college football landscape is shifting with the debut of the 12-team College Football Playoff,and Nashville is eager to be a part of the action.
While the initial matchups will see higher-seeded teams hosting games, including Tennessee’s trip to Ohio State on December 21st, the quarterfinal games and beyond will be played at neutral sites.These venues, traditionally home to postseason bowl games, will now host contests with national championship implications.As the 12-team format takes its first bow, whispers of further expansion to a 14-team playoff in 2026 are already circulating, fueled by rumors of a new television deal. This potential for growth has only intensified Nashville’s desire to host playoff games.
The city’s prosperous hosting of the 2019 NFL Draft, coupled with the construction of the new Nissan Stadium, has positioned Nashville as a prime candidate for major sporting events.
“We certainly would love to step up and have a bigger role in the postseason, but what that is, is a little undefined right now,” said Scott Ramsey, president of the Music City Bowl. “I think there are a lot of things these first couple years here of the 12-team to kind of work through. Is it going to stay at 12, go to 14, go to 16 and expand? Are they going to stay on campus or are they going to move to neutral sites, which would open up opportunities for us?”
The Nashville Sports council has made it clear that hosting a Super Bowl and becoming a fixture in the College Football Playoff are key goals.
Ramsey acknowledges the need for flexibility and reactivity as the playoff format evolves over the next year. “We’re getting prepared, but simultaneously occurring, we’re going to have to be very reactive to decisions being made in the next 12 months or so about what the postseason wants to look like.”
NashvilleS Gridiron Ambitions: A Chat with Music City Bowl President Scott Ramsey
NewsDirectory3.com – With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams this season, Nashville is eyeing the chance to host postseason games. The Music City Bowl’s Scott Ramsey spoke with us about the city’s aspirations and the evolving landscape of college football.
NewsDirectory3.com: Nashville has a history of successfully hosting big sporting events like the NFL Draft. How is the city positioning itself to be a part of the expanded College Football Playoff?
Scott Ramsey: We certainly woudl love to step up and have a bigger role in the postseason, but what that is, is a little undefined right now. I think there are a lot of things these first couple years here of the 12-team [format] to kind of work through. Is it going to stay at 12, go to 14, go to 16 and expand? Are they going to stay on campus or are they going to move to neutral sites, which would open up opportunities for us?
NewsDirectory3.com: The Nashville Sports Council has emphasized hosting a Super Bowl and becoming a regular site for College Football Playoff games as key goals. What steps are being taken to make this a reality?
Scott Ramsey: We’re getting prepared,but simultaneously occurring,we’re going to have to be very reactive to decisions being made in the next 12 months or so about what the postseason wants to look like.