9) MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff — (Atlanta, GA)

A made-for-TV season starter that still feels intimate in person. You’ll get two conferences trading haymakers before league play plus a full fan-fest slate that welcomes newcomers into the culture. It’s also a great “practice classic” for mapping your fall schedule.
Signature moments: Pep rallies, fan fests, and a halftime that sets the tone for September.
Pro tip: Make it a long weekend—Thursday arrivals mean you won’t miss any auxiliary events.