SAN JOSE (KRON) — The party has begun ahead of Monday’s college football national championship game to be held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
The game will go on rain or shine.
As far as the party, the McEnerey Convention Center is the fifty yard line for pre-game festivities with tons of interactive fun. Fans can run drills, kick field goals or go out for a pass and they are pumped for the big game, says John Salberg.
“Well I looked at it as a situation where if I’m ever going to take my son for a trip to a national championship game, this is going to be the most affordable one,” Salberg said.
Fans were clearly enjoying the sunshine at the Quad at Plaza de Cesar Chavez where several outdoor events are planned. There’s rain in the forecast, but organizers say they are ready for that too.
“Rain always cramps your style but we have contingency plans for that. Playoff Fan Center is inside, which is great. Playoff Playlists — it’s a rain or shine event. Bring a poncho, but we’ll have everything covered as far as transportation, making sure it’s safe for everybody out there,” said Elon Werner, with Fan Central.
“If it rains, I say suck it up,” said Rachel Lindsay, an ambassador with the College Football Foundation. “This is the Super Bowl of college football. Also, I’m a person who doesn’t like to get my hair wet either, but if its raining, I’m going to be out there with everyone else”
You might recognize Lindsay from the ‘Bachelorette.” She is also helping to promote a fundraiser for Butte County fire victims, asking fans to text ‘TEACHER’ TO 56512.
While most of the events related to Super Bowl 50 were in San Francisco, this time, they’re in San Jose and while Alabama and Clemson are on the Marquis, most of the fans are homegrown.
“I love the atmosphere and everything,” said one fan. “It’s more into the ‘fan base atmosphere,’ you cheer for your team whether you win or lose.”
Another fan is an alum of UC Berkeley — so college football games are a must.
“We went to Cal, so we enjoy college football — win or lose,” another fan said.