Florida and Georgia to Play in Atlanta in 2026, Tampa Bay in 2027
The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party moves to accomodate Jacksonville renovations
Posted On: October 31, 2024 By :The annual Florida vs. Georgia college football game, known as the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, will be played in Atlanta in 2026 and Tampa Bay in 2027 while the game’s traditional venue, EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, undergoes a $1.4 billion renovation.
With more money available for neutral site games, the two schools opted to bid out the two years instead of playing on campuses. The game will relocate to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in 2026 — home of Super Bowl LXII — and to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay the following year.
Action Network first reported the deal, which Florida coach Billy Napier later confirmed. The Associated Press reported that Orlando, Miami and Tampa bid on Florida’s home game in 2027.
“The Florida-Georgia game is one of college football’s greatest spectacles and we could not be more excited to have the opportunity to host in 2027,” said Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. “Team Tampa Bay has a rich tradition and appreciation for college football and there’s no doubt that today’s announcement will play a huge role in our community’s next chapter. Thank you to both schools for entrusting us with this unique opportunity.”
Last played in Tampa in 1919, Georgia currently holds a 55-44-2 lifetime record over the Gators.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to play in both Atlanta and Tampa, both great venues, both will be well run operations,” said Florida coach Billy Napier. “I think we all understand the revenue that this game generates for both athletic departments, so it’s going to be unique and certainly we’re excited about that opportunity.”
The game is expected to return to Jacksonville beginning in 2028 on a multiyear contract. The schools have played in Jacksonville each year since 1933, with a two-year hiatus while the Gator Bowl was being renovated before the Jaguars’ inaugural season. The game moved to Gainesville in 1994 and Athens, Georgia, the following year.
The payout from Jacksonville is expected to jump significantly from its current deal, which is roughly $3 million for each school and includes $1.5 million guaranteed plus a split of ticket revenue and concession sales. A Florida home game, by comparison, generates between $2 million and $5 million depending on the opponent. Georgia also receives $350,000 annually to cover its charter flights, buses and lodging while Florida receives $60,000, as no flights are required.
“Kirby and I probably both agree that it’d be awesome to play home and home, but we also know that there’s a tremendous amount of revenue created by having this game in a neutral site,” Napier said. “So money makes the world go around, and certainly the amount of revenue, there’s a significant difference in the revenue that’s generated.”
A drawback for the coaches is that NCAA rules prohibit coaches from having contact with recruits at neutral sites, which Georgia coach Kirby Smart has been vocal about for years.
“It’s been talked about and debated for a long time since we know the Jacksonville renovation was going to occur,” Smart said. “The parties involved did a great job managing it. Jacksonville did a great job stepping up and making it worthwhile for both universities and excited about the opportunity to play at two different locations.”
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