Florida and Georgia will each receive $7.5 million to play their 2026 rivalry game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium instead of in Jacksonville.
Georgia vs. Florida Rivalry Game Will Shift To Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2026, With Both Teams Earning $7.5M For The Move
The annual rivalry matchup between the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs has taken place at a neutral site in Jacksonville all but two times since 1933. The 2026 meeting will mark the third instance, as they’ll meet up at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“Georgia and Florida will each be paid $75 million for the 2026 game by AMB Sports & Entertainment, the company owned by Arthur Blank that owns and operates the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, according to a non-binding memorandum of understanding released by UGA to the Athens Banner-Herald on Tuesday under an open records request,” Marc Weiszer wrote Tuesday.
Florida has several advantages over Georgia that could give them a real shot to take down the Bulldogs this year and possibly make the CFP. pic.twitter.com/XypezCr7Wy
— JT Sports (@JTSports__) May 20, 2025
The 2027 game will be played at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium as a $1.4 billion major renovation project takes place at Jacksonville’s stadium, but the game’s relocation isn’t permanent.
The two programs signed a deal to keep the clash in Jacksonville from at least 2028-31 in November. They’re both guaranteed to be paid at least $10 million each by the City of Jacksonville in 2028 and 2029. That payout increases to $10.5 million in the two years after that, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.
Jacksonville is roughly midway between the two schools, providing a convenient yearly spot to convene. The game has become a tradition in the city, bringing an atmosphere unlike most other college football clashes, such as the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn. That series, like many others, alternates between the schools’ locations each season.
Georgia leads the series with a 56-44-2 record. The Bulldogs have gotten past Florida seven of the past eight times they’ve matched up. The Gators haven’t won a game against Kirby Smart’s team since 2020.
Florida’s best stretch against Georgia was under Steve Spurrier in the 1990s, going 11-1 and stringing together seven consecutive victories from 1990-96.
Being that head coach Billy Napier has another season in Gainesville under his belt and a budding star in sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway, Gators fans are hoping for better success against the Bulldogs, who are two seasons removed from winning back-to-back College Football Playoff national championships.
KEEP READING: Georgia-Florida Rivalry at Crossroads
Meanwhile, Smart will presumably trot out signal-caller Gunner Stockton, who started his team’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal loss to Notre Dame at the Sugar Bowl. Stockton replaces Carson Beck, who transferred to Miami this offseason.
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