The Florida-Georgia rivalry is headed to a different stage in 2026, and Georgia’s side sounds plenty comfortable with the change.
Instead of the usual Jacksonville backdrop, the Gators and Bulldogs will meet at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Oct. 31, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. The switch ends a stretch of 30 straight games in Jacksonville, with the move tied to renovations at EverBank Stadium for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The series is scheduled to go to Tampa in 2027 before returning to Jacksonville in 2028.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said the venue change doesn’t alter the football part of the matchup. At SEC Football Media Days, he pointed to the atmosphere and the setting more than anything else.
"I'm excited for that opportunity; change in venue," Smart said at SEC Football Media Days. "Florida has a large contingent and fan base in Atlanta, so, you know, I think that's more of a media and fan deal than it is players.
I don't think any of the Florida or Georgia players are sitting back, going, OK, we're playing in Atlanta this year. What does that change?
It doesn't. Let's be honest, just the venue we are playing in will be different."
He also noted the indoor setting could matter more than the city itself.
"Sometimes down there wind is a big factor, heat. Going to be indoors in an incredible stadium and venue that we've gotten play in multiple times."
The rivalry has tilted heavily Georgia’s way lately. The Bulldogs have won five straight and eight of the last nine, making it a steep climb for first-year Florida coach Jon Sumrall to flip the script.
Smart has built Georgia into the SEC’s standard-bearer, with two national titles and four SEC championships entering his 11th season. The Bulldogs are also the two-time defending SEC champions and return a strong core, including quarterback Gunner Stockton and defensive backs KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson IV.
Stockton already has one win over Florida under his belt. He led Georgia to a 24-20 victory on Nov. 1, 2025, throwing for 223 yards and two touchdowns in his first start in the rivalry.
"That was an awesome game," Stockton said. "I'm glad that we ended up coming out with the W.
It was a great atmosphere ... it's in Atlanta and it's in the middle of the season so we haven't really thought about that. We're about to go into fall camp.
That time will come."
The last time Florida and Georgia played on Georgia soil was Oct. 28, 1995, when the Gators rolled to a 52-17 win at Sanford Stadium in Athens. Smart was a freshman defensive back for the Bulldogs that day.
Smart also said Georgia’s offseason preparation included studying the 2025 NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder, with the Bulldogs looking to keep the same edge that has carried them to the top of the SEC.
"It's very unique what the Thunder was doing, especially when they won the championship in terms of leading in so many categories, but most importantly selflessness," Smart said. "That's what we try to emulate."
Georgia enters this season picked to finish second behind Texas in the USA Today Preseason Football Media Poll.
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