The Florida–Georgia rivalry is packing up from the coast and heading to downtown Atlanta, with the annual showdown set for Mercedes‑Benz Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31. Kickoff is locked in for 3:30 p.m. Eastern, and ABC will carry the broadcast, according to the SEC's latest set of scheduling windows.
The conference released its remaining TV windows Wednesday, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the Oct. 31 start time and ABC designation. The University of Georgia Athletics site also lists Georgia vs. Florida at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium with the same kickoff and network.
The rivalry's detour from Jacksonville comes as EverBank Stadium undergoes a major renovation, and the schools needed temporary NFL‑style homes while the work is underway. CBS News Miami (AP) noted that Georgia will host the 2026 meeting in Atlanta, with Tampa expected to host in 2027. Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart has acknowledged the shift, saying it had been “talked about and debated” as Jacksonville's renovation approached.
On the Florida side, the athletics department is trying to keep things orderly before the ticket rush hits. Single‑game presales will include a "Swamp Certified" window from June 15–19, giving registered fans a crack at seats before the general sale. Per the Florida Gators, exact kickoff times and network assignments for SEC games will still be finalized as the season gets closer, so fans eyeing Atlanta are being urged to track their school’s presale windows and stick to official ticket channels.
What It Means for Atlanta
For downtown Atlanta, a Halloween afternoon soaked in SEC stakes is one more marquee date on an already busy fall calendar. Mercedes‑Benz Stadium has been gearing up for a heavy run of events this year, including significant field and turf work ahead of major tournaments, which should help with the logistics of handling a late‑October college football crowd. The venue's recent field rebuild and World Cup preparations have drawn extra attention to how the stadium manages quick turnarounds.
Hotels, parking operators and MARTA are expected to lean into official ticketing information and transit plans once single‑game sales open, as both fanbases figure out how to turn Atlanta into their temporary home field.
The SEC sorts games into broadcast windows early, but final kickoff times are typically nailed down no later than six days before each date. Networks and the league still have room to tinker, even with the 3:30 p.m. slot currently attached to the rivalry. FBSchedules lists the Oct. 31 Florida‑Georgia matchup at 3:30 p.m. Eastern and notes that exact assignments will be confirmed as game day approaches.
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