Games like Louisville vs Ole Miss could become a Labor Day tradition in Nashville | Estes

In Week 1 of the college football season, a high-stakes matchup between Louisville and Ole Miss drew national attention in Nashville. This game, scheduled for Labor Day weekend, marked the beginning of a potential new tradition for the city. The Liberty Mutual Music City Kickoff, as it is now being called, is scheduled to be a regular event, according to Scott Ramsey, CEO and President of the Nashville Sports Council.

The Nashville Sports Council, in partnership with the (Tennessee) Titans, hopes to establish this Labor Day weekend as a prime opportunity for college sports events. The city is considering hosting other high-profile sports events during the weekend, such as volleyball and soccer championships. Ramsey also mentioned that Nashville is interested in hosting the NCAA women's soccer championships and possibly the NCAA women's volleyball championship in the future.

This Labor Day football weekend could serve as a template for other mid-tier bowl cities, such as Atlanta, which hosts the Aflac kickoff game. The Atlanta game has primarily featured SEC and ACC teams, owing to their respective TV deals with ESPN/ABC. Louisville and Ole Miss played a season-opening game against each other in Atlanta in 2021, setting the stage for their upcoming matchup in Nashville. Reports suggest that Georgia and Florida State are also considering playing in Nashville in 2028.

While Ramsey acknowledges the difficulty in scheduling regular-season games multiple years out, the city is optimistic about the potential for high-quality season-opening college football games in the future.