The annual Florida-Georgia football rivalry is set for a temporary relocation away from its long-standing home in Jacksonville, Florida.
Gators head coach Billy Napier confirmed Wednesday during an SEC coaches’ teleconference that the storied matchup will be held at two new venues for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host the 2026 game, and the 2027 showdown will take place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
The move comes as Jacksonville’s EverBank Stadium prepares for major renovations that will reduce its seating capacity in 2026 and lead to a full closure in 2027.
“Once the renovation is complete, the annual game is expected to return to Jacksonville,” reported Stadium’s Brett McMurphy.
This marks a rare departure for the Florida-Georgia rivalry, which has been held in Jacksonville 92 times since 1915.
The series has only shifted from Jacksonville twice since 1932, with the two programs hosting on-campus games in 1994 and 1995 due to renovations at what was then the Gator Bowl.
Debate has long surrounded the game’s location.
While Jacksonville offers a neutral site steeped in tradition, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has voiced a desire to bring the game to each school’s campus.
When Georgia opens its season at a neutral venue, as it did this year against Clemson, it leaves the team with only six home games, which limits their ability to host recruits.
Napier, however, highlighted the financial benefits of holding the game in Jacksonville, noting the substantial revenue boost both schools enjoy.
“Kirby and I probably both agree that it’d be awesome to play home-and-home,” Napier said today. “But we also know that there’s a tremendous amount of revenue, there’s a significant difference in the revenue generated.”
This year’s edition of the rivalry will still be played in Jacksonville. Kickoff is set for 3:30pm EST this Saturday. (Of course, ABC now has the game which is still taking time to get used to.)
What are your thoughts on the news? … In the bigger picture, do you agree with Kirby that the rivalry should be played on-campus each year???
