Florida-Georgia to check out Atlanta (’26), Tampa (’27)

• Mark Schlabach, ESPN

  • Senior WriterOct 30, 2024, 12:30 PM ET Close Senior college football writer Author of seven books on college football
  • Graduate of the University of Georgia

The yearly college football game in between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs will relocate to Atlanta in 2026 and Tampa, Florida, in 2027 while EverBank Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, is being renovated.Each of the games

between the SEC competitors since 1933 was played in Jacksonville, except for 1994 and 1995, when games were moved, respectively, to the schools’ campuses in Gainesville, Florida, and Athens, Georgia, during arena remodellings in Jacksonville.The No. 2 Bulldogs play the Gators at EverBank Arena on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+ ). With the exception of 1994 and 1995, when the games were played at campus sites, the yearly Florida-Georgia rivalry has actually been played in Jacksonville considering that 1933. Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

The game will be played in Jacksonville in 2025 before moving to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa the next 2 seasons.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to play in both Atlanta and Tampa, both excellent venues,” Florida coach Billy Napier said on a teleconference Wednesday. “Both will be well-run operations. I think all of us understand the income that this game produces for both athletic departments. I think it’s going to be distinct and certainly we’re thrilled about that opportunity.”

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The schools are anticipated to reveal that the game will return to EverBank Arena, home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, for the 2028 season and beyond, Jacksonville mayor Donna Deegan stated at a news conference Tuesday.

“It’s been talked about and debated for a very long time, for a while, since we have actually understood the Jacksonville renovation was going to take place,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart stated Wednesday. “You understand, I believe the celebrations involved did a terrific job stepping up and making it rewarding for both universities and [were] delighted about the opportunity to play it. 2 various locations, so that’ll be distinct and perhaps we gain from those experiences.”