This was the last edition of the Celebration Bowl (and the penultimate college football game) played at the Georgia Dome, as the Dome was demolished in November 2017 following the opening of its successor, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, three months prior.
The participants for the Celebration Bowl game are based upon the final regular season standings which determine the MEAC football champion and the SWAC football championship Game determining the SWAC representative.
North Carolina Central entered the season ranked 4th in both the Sheridan & BoxtoRow polls and picked to finish 3rd overall in the MEAC.
The Eagles rebounded to win 9 straight, defeating state rival North Carolina A&T in the final MEAC regular season game.
Grambling started the season ranked 5th in national black college football polls and picked 2nd in the SWAC Western division.