Florida vs. Georgia game location 2026: Why Cocktail Party is being played in Atlanta

Florida and Georgia’s annual SEC showdown will shift from Jacksonville for the 104th meeting in 2026, moving to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta. The rivalry is usually played at Everbank Stadium, but ongoing renovations are set to finish in August 2028, prompting the relocation. The schedule shift was announced in 2024, along with a 2027 date at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2028, the game returns to Jacksonville. The Athletic reports Florida and Georgia each receive $7.5 million from Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment, plus $1.5 million each from Jacksonville under the deal.