President Trump plans to attend College Football Playoff title game

Heather Tucker | USA TODAY

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President Donald Trump is planning to attend the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday.

The news was confirmed to USA TODAY by two people within the administration who were not authorized to speak publicly because Trump's schedule isn't yet official.

The all-Southeastern Conference showdown between Alabama and Georgia will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Politically Georgia, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's politics blog, was first to report the news Wednesday.

The president and First Lady Melania Trump are expected to be guests of Nick and Jamie Ayers. Nick Ayers is chief of staff for Vice President Mike Pence and a native of Georgia.

College Football Playoff Executive Director Bill Hancock told USA TODAY Sports he had not talked to anyone at the White House.

"I'm sure the White House will announce the president's travel plans," Hancock said.

Trump — who last year said any NFL player who kneeled during the national anthem should be fired, sparking a lengthy controversy around the league — also will welcome the World Series champion Houston Astros to the White House on a future date.

During the presidential election, Trump carried both Alabama and Georgia. Last month, Alabama voted Doug Jones into the U.S. Senate, eschewing Trump's endorsement of Ray Moore.

Alabama dismantled defending champion Clemson in the Sugar Bowl and Georgia beat Oklahoma in double overtime in the Rose Bowl to qualify for the championship game.

Contributing: David Jackson

Follow Jackson on Twitter @djusatoday and Tucker @HeatherR_Tucker