Downtown Atlanta turns into CFP headquarters

ATLANTA - Preps for next Monday's CFP National Championship game have been underway for months. With Georgia and Alabama now set to play each other, it makes Atlanta a convenient destination for both teams.

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Tuesday, crews were hard at work setting up barricades and other traffic control devices to help the flow of vehicles and crowds expected in Downtown Atlanta this week.

Crews said the setup for the event has been in the planning now for 10 months and they are set to kickoff events starting Saturday beginning with the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live. That is a series of concerts throughout the weekend at Centennial Olympic Park.

Officials said they are expecting a 20,000-person capacity each day, so they advise fans to get there early with such drawing acts as the Chainsmokers.

Also on the schedule, fireworks, giveaways, watchtowers, and many more.

"On Saturday you can come down here and make an entire day of it, right? You can start by going to media day, then you go out to play off fan central which is a 300 thousand square foot college football theme park which will be in the Georgia world congress center, then you end your night by going to play off playlist live by enjoying big name acts including Jason Durulo," said Tony Fay with the College Football Playoff.

MORE INFO: CFP released events list for National Championship weekend

Inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Kendrick Lamar is expected to perform a special halftime show.

TV crews are furiously working inside the new stadium to add extra camera positions to catch all the action. More than 300 stagehands and carpenters are part of the more than 3,500 people working behind the scene to make the events happen.

Organizers said they are working several local and state law enforcement agencies to help keep the events safe. They have been working on security planning for 8 months, organizers said.

About 160,000 people are expected to pour into Atlanta over the weekend for festivities.

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