Georgia’s high school football season begins Wednesday, August 12—earlier than ever—with several North Atlanta teams appearing in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic.

The opening games will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the middle of the school week. The unusual schedule resulted from stadium commitments surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Atlanta United and summer concerts, which displaced the showcase from its traditional opening-weekend position.

North Gwinnett provides the strongest local draw Wednesday night. The Bulldogs face Grayson at 8 p.m. after reaching the state semifinals and finishing 12-2 last season. Grayson enters the year with a new head coach but remains one of Georgia’s most formidable football programs. Lanier and South Gwinnett open the event at 5 p.m.

North Fulton takes the field Thursday. Cambridge plays Brookwood at 5 p.m., marking the Bears’ first appearance in the Classic. Roswell follows at 8 p.m. against Walton in another matchup between programs accustomed to postseason football.

Other North Atlanta teams join the event the following week. Centennial meets Dunwoody at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, August 20, at Blessed Trinity, while West Forsyth faces Houston County at 8 p.m. Friday, August 21, at Center Parc Stadium.

For families attending Wednesday or Thursday, the timing may require more planning than a normal Friday-night game. Mercedes-Benz Stadium opens its gates at 4 p.m., and its NFL clear-bag rules apply. Parking can also become expensive or limited close to kickoff, making MARTA a practical alternative for families traveling from North Fulton or Gwinnett.

Most Georgia teams will not begin their regular seasons until the following week, when the familiar Friday-night schedule returns. The complete lineup and ticket information are available from the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic, with stadium policies and transportation details available through Mercedes-Benz Stadium.: