The well-known annual football rivalry between Georgia and Florida will be hosted at different locations over the next two years as Jacksonsville undergoes significant stadium renovations.

In fact, there will be two new venues.

The 2026 game is set to take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, while the 2027 matchup will be held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, as confirmed by a reliable source. This information was first shared by Brett McMurphy of the Action Network.

“We’re looking forward to playing in both Atlanta and Tampa, which are both excellent venues,” said Florida head coach Billy Napier during a recent SEC teleconference. “They will both have efficient operations. We understand the financial impact this game has for both athletic departments, and we are thrilled about this unique opportunity.”

Additionally, it’s likely that an announcement will be made before Saturday’s game in Jacksonville regarding the series returning to that city in 2028, as indicated by Jacksonville’s mayor Donna Deegan in an interview with the Florida Times-Union on Tuesday.

“This has been a topic of discussion for a while since the stadium renovations were announced,” said Georgia head coach Kirby Smart when asked about the new locations in Atlanta and Tampa. “The involved parties have handled the situation commendably. Jacksonville has done an excellent job in negotiating to make this beneficial for both schools. We are looking forward to the chance of playing at two different sites, which will be an interesting experience.”

During the seasons of 2026 and 2027, both schools opted for neutral venues in both states instead of a home-and-home series, as they generate significantly more revenue this way.

“I think Kirby and I both feel that a home-and-home arrangement would be fantastic, but we understand the financial benefits of playing at a neutral site,” Napier noted. “The revenue from these games makes a big difference.”

Raymond James Stadium, home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, hosted the Super Bowl in February 2021. The largest recorded attendance was 69,305 during a game against the Bengals on December 18, 2022.

Georgia faced off in the Outback Bowl at this very stadium on January 2, 2012, and the team has participated in five bowl games held in Tampa.

The stadium opened in 1998 and has seen numerous upgrades since 2014, including a revamped main concourse, HD end zone video boards, new audio equipment, enhanced concessions, and renovated luxury suites.

Additional improvements feature a redesigned West Stadium Club, a larger Hall of Fame Club, a new locker room for the home team, renovated East Stadium Club, and a new sports bar and eatery named Bar 76.

Since Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened in 2017, the Bulldogs have competed in 11 games there, including every season for the past seven years. They are set to return to this venue in 2025 to face Georgia Tech following the Yellow Jackets’ decision to host their game against the Bulldogs there.

Georgia and Florida have met in Jacksonville annually since 1993, except for 1994 and 1995, when the stadium renovations caused the games to be held on campus.

In May, Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks suggested that the schools were aiming to return to Jacksonville post-renovation, with plans for the 2028 game.

Mayor Deegan expressed that she was “very optimistic” about the city establishing a new contract with the universities for the game’s future.

Brooks has stated, “We are eager to return and explore the possibilities of making it an extraordinary event based on what they are planning. This looks to be a fantastic project.”

Camping World Stadium in Orlando was another potential neutral location for the game in Florida.

Currently, Georgia earns about $6 million more over a two-year span by playing in Jacksonville compared to a home-and-home series.

“Playing at a neutral site should equally bring those same financial benefits,” said Napier, emphasizing that this was a key reason for their decision.

(This story was updated with new information.)