Ohio State, Notre Dame fans brave cold for College Football Playoff Championship game in Atlanta

Notre Dame, Ohio State fans flock to Atlanta

Tens of thousands of College football fans were drawn to Atlanta for the College Football Playoff National Championship game. Some people traveled across the world to be there.

ATLANTA - Despite the cold, Ohio State and Notre Dame fans were fired up ahead of game time.

The College Football Playoff Championship game is being held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta for the second time.

SEE ALSO: Ohio State beat Notre Dame in CFP Championship in Atlanta

College football fans brave freezing temps for championship

It's college football's biggest night, and it happens to coincide with one of Atlanta's coldest days of the year. But, the arctic air couldn't deter true Ohio State and Notre Dame fans.

CFP Championship takes over Atlanta

What they're saying:

Downtown Atlanta came alive Monday. The colors of the day, scarlet and gray for Ohio State and blue and gold for Notre Dame. 

"This is kind of a dream come true to actually be here tonight," said Ohio State fan Roy Vanderpool.

"Happy to be here at this point," said Notre Dame fan Braden Benedict. "Sure hope we win, but I'll be happy no matter what."

Fans we talked with said they had no choice but to travel to Atlanta for the championship game.

"It's a national championship game and what are you going to do, you got to be here," said Ohio State fan John Pontious. 

"I've had to calm myself down all week," said Notre Dame fan Jason Chrapek.

The College Football Playoff Championship game takes place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta on Jan. 20, 2025. (FOX 5)

Arctic cold for CFP Championship

What we know:

For a little relief from this bitter blast, thousands of fans poured into Playoff Fan Central at the Georgia World Congress Center. It was a fun way to get out of the cold and kill some time before the exciting game ahead.

"Just a lot of cool stuff going on and it's cold outside, it's nice, it's warm in here," Chrapek said. 

The College Football Playoff Championship game takes place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta on Jan. 20, 2025. (FOX 5)

Ohio State beats Notre Dame

What they're saying:

It was Ohio State that pulled out a decisive win with a final score of 34-23.

"We traveled halfway around the world to come see Notre Dame…my family is Catholic, so we love Notre Dame," one fan told FOX 5.

The energy was electric outside of the Benz ahead of kick-off.

"Obviously, Ohio State had a great season, lost to Michigan and then had a huge run in the playoffs, so we’re excited to be here," Andy Harmon told FOX 5.

"There’s nothing like Notre Dame fan base…we show up and we show out," said Notre Dame student Gabriela Ortiz.

Even unusually frigid temps didn’t stop the fun for most.

Harmon and Paige Cesario, both Buckeye fans, said they traveled from Ohio and West Virginia where temperatures were well below freezing.

"It’s -7 at home, so we’re just happy to be here," Harmon said.

"It actually feels pretty good to me…where we live right now, we have like 8 inches of snow on the ground," Cesario added.

Much like that cold winter air, the tension between Irish and Buckeye fans was thick with both sides equally convinced their team would come out on top.

"The nightmare begins tonight…Notre Dame gets the national championship and Ohio State goes back to Columbus to regroup next year," one fan said.