ATLANTA (May 30, 2019) – The 2019 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game between Duke and No. 2 Alabama will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 31 from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This year’s matchup will be nationally telecast by ABC.
“We look forward to welcoming another national television audience to the Capital of College Football for the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game,” said Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and president. “It should be an intriguing matchup featuring two storied coaches, a Heisman Trophy favorite and a popular preseason pick to play in this year’s College Football Playoff.”
The 15th edition of the nation’s longest-running kickoff game will feature the first meeting between Duke and Alabama since 2010, an Alabama win in Durham. The Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 2-1, having also beaten the Blue Devils in 1972 following a Duke win in 1945.
Duke will be making its first appearance at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, while this year’s matchup will be Alabama’s sixth trip opening the season in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide will look to remain undefeated in the game with a perfect 5-0 record to date and Duke will attempt to secure the ACC’s first Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game victory since 2012.
The teams will battle for The Old Leather Helmet Trophy, one of college football’s newest rivalry-style icons. Traditionally, winners of The Old Leather Helmet don the helmet on the field after the game, starting with the head coach and then rotating from player to player as the team celebrates its victory.
Past Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game teams and winners of The Old Leather Helmet include:
| Year: | Match-Up: | Winner: |
| 2008 | (9) Clemson vs. (24) Alabama | Alabama 34-10 |
| 2009 | (5) Alabama vs. (7) Virginia Tech | Alabama 34-24 |
| 2010 | (16) LSU vs. (18) North Carolina | LSU 30-24 |
| 2011 | (5) Boise State vs. (19) Georgia | Boise State 35-21 |
| 2012 | (25) NC State vs. Tennessee | Tennessee 35-21 |
| 2012 | (14) Clemson vs. (24) Auburn | Clemson 26-19 |
| 2013 | (1) Alabama vs. Virginia Tech | Alabama 35-10 |
| 2014 | (18) Ole Miss vs. Boise State | Ole Miss 35-13 |
| 2014 | (2) Alabama vs. West Virginia | Alabama 33-23 |
| 2015 | (25) Louisville vs. (6) Auburn | Auburn 31-24 |
| 2016 | (18) Georgia vs. (22) North Carolina | Georgia 33-24 |
| 2017 | (3) Florida State vs. (1) Alabama | Alabama 24-7 |
| 2017 | (25) Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech | Tennessee 42-41 |
| 2018 | (6) Washington vs. (9) Auburn | Auburn 21-16 |
The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game averages more than 68,973 fans for each game – higher than 36 bowl games from last year – and its team payout averages $5.5 million, which is higher than 26 bowl games last season. Television viewership is also traditionally strong with more than 73.1 million viewers tuning in to the annual game since 2008.
Tickets are now available as part of a limited public sale. The rare public sale includes multiple options with a variety of seating locations for fans to celebrate the start of college football season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
For more information, visit Chick-fil-AKickoffGame.com.