Phoenix prepares for championship game events despite wet weather

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - It's just weeks away, the College Football Playoff Championship game between Alabama and Clemson. Crews are already transforming downtown Phoenix into an area where fans can gather for several events leading up to the big game.

City officials are certainly building off the momentum and success of last year's Super Bowl, where central Phoenix became Super Bowl Central. This year it will be the championship campus, filled with free concerts, events, and fun family activities.

Officials expect over 300,000 visitors to enjoy all the fun.

The big game will happen at Glendale's University of Phoenix Stadium, but much of the pre-game fun will happen downtown.

City leaders and organizers previewed the plans for the week ahead. The campus will include food, drinks, and nightly fireworks. It will also host some big artists including Ciara, The Band Perry, and John Mellencamp who will put on free concerts.

But if you want to enjoy the fun, you should pack lightly, and plan ahead. Security officials say they are building off Super Bowl's playbook, making security even tighter this year.

"Our tech has gotten better in terms of downtown surveillance, those events really serve to steel our resolve to make sure this is safe," said Kevin Kalkbrenner with Homeland Security.

The event if anything like Super Bowl 49 is expected to be a big win for Phoenix, hoping to prove it is a world class city for sporting events.

There will be a playoff fan central inside the Phoenix Convention Center, entry to that event is $12 for adults.

They also want people to know not to bring some gadgets to the events; banned items include hoverboards, drones, and selfie sticks.

For more information visit: www.azchampgame.org