Super Bowl 53 taking shape on GWCCA’s championship campus

And then there were four…

We don’t know yet which two teams from the NFL’s still-standing final four – the NFC’s New Orleans Saints or Los Angeles Rams, and the AFC’s Kansas City Chiefs or New England Patriots – will make it to Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS), but we do know this: the championship campus is taking shape day-by-day.

With 18 days until the big game, and 10 days until the first open-to-the-public Super Bowl event takes place on the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) campus, major progress was made last week on the load in and build out of the event footprint, and continues this week.

It’s basically a mini-city under construction on the GWCCA’s 220-acre campus, the home base for what is essentially a 10-day festival leading up to the game.

We also now know that Maroon 5 is indeed performing the Super Bowl halftime show, as revealed during CBS’ broadcast of the NFL playoffs on Sunday, with guests Travis Scott and Atlanta rapper Big Boi, one half of the super star hip-hop duo Outkast.

As for other acts performing at Super Bowl-related events, a second round of musicians set to appear at Super Bowl Live at Centennial Olympic Park were announced today, and include Atlanta-borne R&B/funk outfit The S.O.S. Band (“Take Your Time [Do It Right]),  Atlanta rapper Pastor Troy, R&B crooner Monica (pictured above), also from the Atlanta area, along with Atlanta indie rock/pop group Hero The Band, country singer Craig Campbell, and psychedelic rockers Hearty Har, which features the sons of John Fogerty (Credence Clearwater Revival).

Super Bowl Live, the free, family-friendly event is described as a fan village intended to highlight Atlanta’s vibrant music and culture scene and it will run Jan. 26 through Feb. 2 at the park.

“We are excited to welcome renowned talent from a variety of musical genres to Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon,” said Brett Daniels, chief operating officer of the Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee. “With daily concerts, festivities and engaging partner activations, Super Bowl LIVE will give Atlanta locals and visitors alike a unique and free opportunity to be a part of Super Bowl LIII.”

Super Bowl Live’s concert lineup is being curated by Grammy-winning music producer Jermaine Dupri, and previously announced entertainers include Atlanta hip-hop group Goodie Mob and DJ Holiday and Friends (Jan. 28) and DJ Smurf and The ATL Bass Allstars (Feb. 2).

Other aspects of Super Bowl Live include:

• WonderRoot’s Art Cube, commissioned by the Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee, a four-sided 12-foot tall display showcasing the works of local visual artists, including live art created on Jan. 26, Jan. 27, Feb. 1 and Feb. 2.
• The  Kennedy Space Center’s Moon to Mars exhibit where guests can learn about playing football on Mars, meet NASA astronauts and check out the Mars rover concept vehicle, MRVN.
• Several food and beverage areas, including Tostino’s Cantina, Bud Light Biergarten, Smooth Ambler Whiskey Wagon, Absolut Vodka Bar and Lounge, and Martell Cognac Lounge.