The annual showdown between the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs, one of college football's most iconic rivalries, will continue to be played in Jacksonville, Florida, even as the city's stadium undergoes major renovations. The decision to keep the game in its longtime neutral-site location was announced in a joint statement by the University of Florida, the University of Georgia, and the City of Jacksonville, ensuring the tradition will endure for years to come.

Elevating a Legendary Matchup

The Florida-Georgia game, affectionately known as the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party," has been a staple of the college football landscape since 1933. This storied rivalry, which has captivated fans and players alike, will now find a new home in the "Stadium of the Future" as Jacksonville's EverBank Stadium undergoes a transformative renovation project.

Maintaining Tradition and Maximizing Opportunity

The decision to keep the game in Jacksonville was the result of extensive collaboration between the universities and the city. While the game will be played at neutral sites in Atlanta and Tampa during the 2026 and 2027 seasons to accommodate the stadium renovations, the parties involved were determined to ensure the rivalry's return to its longtime home."The Florida-Georgia Game has enjoyed a longstanding and special relationship with the City of Jacksonville, and we are pleased to continue one of college football's great traditions there in 2028 once the impressive renovations to EverBank Stadium are complete," said University of Florida Athletics Director Scott Stricklin. "For 2026 and 2027, the chance to continue the neutral site history of the series, while also maximizing revenue opportunities that are so critical during this transformative time in college athletics, make playing games in Atlanta and Tampa incredibly attractive."

A Shared Commitment to Excellence

The decision to extend the Jacksonville partnership was met with enthusiasm from all parties involved, as they recognized the significance of preserving this iconic rivalry and providing a world-class experience for players, staff, and fans."The annual Georgia-Florida game in Jacksonville is one of the greatest traditions in college sports, and we are excited the game will return to EverBank Stadium in 2028," said Josh Brooks, the J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics for the University of Georgia. "We are fortunate to have a pair of exceptional venues in Atlanta and Tampa that will host the game for the next two years as the Georgia-Florida matchup joins a long line of major events to take place in those two cities, which have hosted both the Super Bowl and the College Football Playoff National Championship."

A Celebration of Community and College Football

The continued presence of the Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville is not only a testament to the enduring appeal of the rivalry but also a reflection of the city's deep-rooted connection to the event. As Mayor Donna Deegan noted, the game's return to the "Stadium of the Future" will be a source of shared excitement and a driver of economic impact for the local community."We are honored to extend the time-honored tradition of the Georgia-Florida rivalry game in Jacksonville for four more years. It is the result of many months of close collaboration with our partners at the University of Florida and the University of Georgia," Deegan said. "There is shared excitement by all parties for the game to return to Jacksonville in the Stadium of the Future, which will be a world-class stadium that meets NFL standards, starting in 2028."The preservation of this iconic rivalry in its longtime home ensures that the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" will continue to captivate college football fans for years to come, solidifying Jacksonville's status as the premier destination for one of the sport's most anticipated annual matchups.