Even though Jacksonville's EverBank Stadium is set for renovations, it will still not give the Georgia-Florida rivalry fans the moments they have been urging for: a home-and-home game between the SEC bluebloods.
Instead, the teams will travel to Atlanta in 2026 and Tampa in 2027 before returning to Jacksonville in 2028.
As the EverBank Stadium will not host the historic rivalry game, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart revealed what drove the school's decision to select other neutral sites.
"That was an AD decision," Smart said. "It ultimately came based on money. And, you know, the Mercedes and Tampa both ponied up and made really good financial offers."
"Why can’t we play that Florida-Georgia game (on campus)?" Smart continued. "We didn’t get it. We got outbid, baby."
Smart has been a vocal advocate for having a true home-and-home series. Given that both programs are set to earn roughly $20.5 million from their agreement, his opinion clearly had little impact on the front office's decision.
"The decision for Atlanta to host the game in 2026 will see each school earn $7.5 million from the Atlanta Falcons' owner, Arthur Blank's company, AMB Sports and Entertainment, according to Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald. That will be in addition to another $1.5 million that each school will receive from the city of Jacksonville in 2026 and 2027," Harrison Reno of UGA Rivals reported.
"Then, when the game returns to its 90-year home of Jacksonville in 2028, both schools will be paid $10 million by Jacksonville."
While Smart didn't get a home game this time, it will only be so much time before the program listens to his demand and brings the rivalry game home.
As of now, no home game is expected until at least 2032, per their contract.