ATHENS, Ga. — This weekend promises to be one of the biggest weekends in Athens history as undefeated Georgia and Tennessee clash at Sanford Stadium.

The top two teams in the Associated Press poll will meet in the first “Game of the Century” that Sanford Stadium has hosted and ticket prices have shattered records.

From LaGrange to Savannah, from Cumming to Valdosta, Bulldogs fans have made the trip to Athens ready for the weekend.

In Athens on Friday, fans got the party and tailgating started early.

“It’s huge. I think the only thing that can compare would be here when Notre Dame was here or Alabama was here last,” Gary Armour said.

Tickets have not been cheap on the secondary market. As of Friday, fans could find tickets starting at $626 for seats in the upper deck. Parking passes have ranged from $150 to $1,800.

Season ticket holder Todd McElmurray told Mims that you won’t pry tickets from his fingers.

“Ticket pricing is outrageous and I’m thankful I don’t have to pay it.”

While it’s not Saturday yet, McElmurray already set up with his RV from his home on Lake Lanier with tailgating food, cold beers and the warmth of Bulldog fellowship.

“Why not wait until Saturday?” Mims asked.

“Because we love the spirit,” McElmurray said. “We love the excitement of the whole area. We love the excitement of everybody here. It’s just an experience you can’t explain.”

Chris Walker of Cumming explains it this way:

“You’ve got young, you’ve got old. You’ve got the nostalgia of just Athens being here. You’ve got the players and the coaches. And everything about it just makes it fun.”

While it takes more than $600 just to get in the door, the most expensive tickets will run more than $5,000.

For some fans, it’s a priceless weekend at Sanford Stadium and they wouldn’t dare miss it.

Catch all your gameday coverage, beginning at 11:30 a.m. on the Home of the Dawgs. Listen on 95.5 WSB, on WSBRadio.com and in the WSB Radio App!

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