ATLANTA — The first selection in the Atlantic Coast Conference — after the BCS — will continue to go to Atlanta’s Chick-fil-A Bowl through the 2013 college football season, as bowl and ACC officials announced a four-year extension to their existing agreement on Wednesday.

“Our 18-year partnership with ACC is among the most important assets we have and is a huge part of our bowl’s success,” Chick-fil-A Bowl president and CEO Gary Stokan said in a release. “The ACC is a big part of our identity. It’s who we are. We consider it a privilege to provide their member institutions a BCS-like experience in both the Chick-fil-A Bowl and in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.”

The ACC has been a conference tie-in for the Chick-fil-A Bowl since 1992 and the Chick-fil-A Bowl has owned the first non-automatic selection in the conference since 2006. An ACC team has played in 30 of the 41 Chick-fil-A Bowls dating back to 1968.

“The Chick-fil-A Bowl has been a tremendous partner over the years and we look forward to our continued relationship,” ACC Commissioner John Swofford said. “Showcasing an ACC-SEC matchup on New Year's Eve in Atlanta has proven to be a solid formula for success. I know the experience of our teams and fans is second to none and we appreciate every aspect of our association with the Chick-fil-A Bowl.”

The 42nd annual Chick-fil-A Bowl will be played Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. and will be nationally televised by ESPN.