It’s out of the elements of outdoors, back to indoors for Georgia’s high school football championship games in 2023.

The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) and the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday announced a three-year deal for the state title games to return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS).

“We are pleased to have the championship back here,” Falcons President Rich McKay said. “We want to have the championships here. There’s a lot of requirements that go into trying to schedule these games, but I think we’ve got ourselves in a good place.”

GHSA executive director Robin Hines acknowledged the challenges of the championship games played in the elements. Last week’s finals had plenty of rain to contend with during the action at Georgia State University’s Center Parc Stadium. “It’s nice to be able to have these things planned and not worry about the weather,” Hines said.

“We’re excited to be able to come back to Mercedes-Benz. Absolutely enjoy a great relationship and partnership with the Falcons,” said Hines.

The 2023 title games will move to a few days later on the calendar. Typically, the games were scheduled the weekend following the SEC Championship. Due to scheduling at MBS, including requirements that certain dates be held open for the NFL, the high school title games will be held Tuesday-Thursday, Dec. 12-14. That could change if the NFL needs the Thursday, pushing the action to Monday-Wednesday.

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