Akins Ford Arena is celebrating its first anniversary by launching a sweepstakes that offers residents of Georgia and South Carolina a chance to win two tickets to every public event at the arena for an entire year. The winner will also receive two passes to the South Club Lounge, which provides additional amenities during each show. A runner-up will get two tickets to every public event at The Classic Center Theatre for a year.
Entries for the Golden Ticket Sweepstakes close on December 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Participants must be at least 18 years old, and no purchase or payment is necessary to enter or win. Full rules and details are available at ClassicCenter.com.
Fe H., who won Akins Ford Arena’s 2025 Golden Ticket, said, “Winning the Golden Ticket to the Akins Ford Arena is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. From country music to comedy to Disney, ice hockey, and so much more, I am amazed at the quality and quantity of entertainment it has brought to the Athens area. Love it, love it, love it!”
Paul Cramer, President and CEO of The Classic Center Authority, commented on the venue’s first year: “The inaugural year of Akins Ford Arena has been nothing short of amazing. It’s been incredible to see our community and visitors from all over come together for hockey, sold-out concerts, and unforgettable comedy with top comedians. This year exceeded all expectations, and with even bigger shows on the horizon, the excitement for next year is already building!”
Several events have already been announced for 2026 at both venues. At Akins Ford Arena these include Athens Rock Lobsters hockey games, UGA Club Hockey matches, Billy Strings’ Winter Tour 2026 stopover, Bailey Zimmerman’s Different Night Same Rodeo Tour 2026 appearance, Harlem Globetrotters performances and other shows yet to be announced.
At The Classic Center Theatre in 2026 audiences can expect performances such as Jason Isbell’s Solo Tour; Hadestown; Riverdance 30: The New Generation; John Mulaney: Mister Whatever Tour; Stomp; Clint Black’s Back on The Blacktop Tour; Swan Lake by International Ballet Stars; Athens Symphony Spring Concert; Mrs. Doubtfire; An Evening with David Sedarius; Ballets Jazz Montreal; Beetlejuice as well as additional upcoming events.
Akins Ford Arena is located in Athens and hosts conventions, concerts family shows sports tournaments with seating capacity exceeding 8,000 people. It operates under The Classic Center Authority whose mission includes supporting economic cultural life in Athens through varied programming across its venues.
