The Aflac Kickoff Game: Why Dunwoody Is Your Home Base for Opening Weekend

College football will be back before we know it, and the Aflac Kickoff Game is once again starting the season off in style.

On September 5, 2026, Auburn University and Baylor University face off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and if you're making the trip, Dunwoody is the perfect home base. You’ll find great hotels, easy MARTA access, and a food and drink scene to fill your whole weekend.

The Aflac Kickoff Game is one of college football's longest-running season openers, played every year at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta. This year, Auburn takes on Baylor on Saturday, September 5, marking Auburn's return to Atlanta for the first time since 2018 and Baylor's first-ever appearance in the game.

The Aflac Kickoff Game time is set for 3:30 PM ET (2:30 PM CT). If you're still sorting out tickets, the official Aflac Kickoff Game site has the latest on availability and gameday details.

Skipping the traffic and the downtown hotel scramble will be one of the easiest wins of the weekend. Dunwoody sits just a MARTA ride away from the stadium, with a wide range of hotels to choose from around Perimeter Mall, most of them within a couple of miles of the Dunwoody MARTA station.

You can browse the full list of hotels here and book early. Opening weekend fills up fast!

Your Aflac Kickoff Game tailgate doesn’t have to mean a parking lot and a folding table. Head to Ashford Lane, Dunwoody's open-air dining and entertainment hub, where the for a new take on tailgating. Check out restaurants like:

Culinary Dropout: Sports on every screen, a massive covered patio, and a menu of pretzel bites and 36-hour pork ribs that travels well from lunch straight into kickoff.


Politan Row: Gives your group ten different food stalls to pick from, so nobody has to compromise on what to eat before the game.


HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern: Pours one of the biggest bourbon and whiskey selections in the Southeast, and its patio spills right out onto Ashford Lane's lawn.

Here's the real reason to stay in Dunwoody: you never have to fight downtown Atlanta traffic or Aflac Kickoff Game Parking on gameday.

Dunwoody Station sits right on MARTA's Red Line, and one transfer downtown gets you to SEC District Station, which lets out just steps from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium gates. That means no searching for a spot, no paying stadium parking rates, and no sitting in postgame gridlock.

For the full breakdown on routes, fares, and timing, check out our guide to navigating MARTA.

If you're rolling into town a day early or looking to extend the celebration after the Aflac Kickoff Game ends, Dunwoody has plenty to keep the energy going.

The Bunkr Golf Co.: Also at Ashford Lane, Bunkr is a premium indoor golf simulator lounge with Trackman bays, cold drinks, and big screens.


The Village Dunwoody: With multiple restaurants and bars in one space, including Bar{n}, Message in a Bottle, and Morty’s Meat & Supply, fans can choose from a variety of dining and drink options without ever leaving the courtyard.


Buffalo Wild Wings: A favorite for football fans, Buffalo Wild Wings has more than 80 TVs, endless sauce options, and even better brews.


And for more spots built for watching the game, check out the best places to watch college football in Dunwoody.

The Aflac Kickoff Game is the perfect excuse to turn opening Saturday into a weekend that keeps the fun going. Book your stay in Dunwoody, settle in near Perimeter Mall, and let MARTA do the driving on gameday.

Ready to lock in your trip? Plan your visit and start building your weekend around the game.