The countdown is on for the College Football Championship that will be held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa next year.

  • Local communities are getting excited for the College Football Championship this year
  • Nearly 100,000 people are expected to visit Tampa for the event
  • Experts say the event is a 'chance to impress the nation'

Thursday, the College Football Playoff Foundation held its Countdown to the Championship Luncheon at the downtown Tampa Hilton. During the luncheon, the foundation showed their commitment to the community by awarding funds to assist school districts in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties.

It’s part of their 'Extra Yard for the Teachers' initiative.

Organizers said there’s excitement in the classrooms now, not to mention excitement throughout the country, for the championship game.

“Each week of the season, you sort of see new teams emerging,” said Michael Kelly, COO of the College Football Playoff Foundation.

“All of them have their eyes on trying to get here to the Tampa Bay area at the end of the year.”

Tampa has been preparing for the championship since the city was picked to host the game in 2013. NFL Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks said being the host is a big deal.

“For us, to be able to get this game so early in the College Football Playoff system, I think we get a chance to make a big impression on the nation,” Brooks said.

Nearly 100,000 people are expected to visit. If the event is successful, the championship could bring even more opportunities to the area.

“This is one of the biggest events in the world, so to be able to do everything we can to make sure it goes off without a hitch, I think will be a great testament moving forward to our future bids,” said Rob Higgins of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. “Our goal with these events isn’t just to host it once and never have it come back. If we do a good job, they’ll come back.”

As of Thursday, there were 109 days left until the game. But activities have already been planned for the days leading up to the championship.

There will be a 5K run, a new Yacht Village for boaters, a "Taste of the Championship" event for foodies, a beach bash at Clearwater Beach, and days of outdoor concerts at Curtis Hixon Park.

“There’s so many things to do, there’s really something for everybody,” Higgins said.

The championship game will be held on January 9, 2017.