Florida-Georgia Plays in Atlanta for First Time in 30 Years as $7.5 Million Deal Draws Fire
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 31
Florida-Georgia Plays in Atlanta for First Time in 30 Years as $7.5 Million Deal Draws Fire
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 31
Summary
Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosts Florida-Georgia on Saturday, the rivalry’s first game outside Jacksonville in three decades, with the series set for Tampa in 2027 before returning to Jacksonville in 2028.
EverBank Stadium renovations forced the move, but the neutral-site choice was also driven by money: Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment is paying each school $7.5 million, versus Jacksonville’s $1.5 million offer for the return.
A closed roof in Atlanta despite clear weather became the day’s flashpoint, uniting Florida and Georgia fans who already disliked losing the traditional Jacksonville setting.
The game’s branding also shifted to the “Invesco QQQ Atlanta Gridiron Classic,” underscoring how corporate sponsorship and NIL-era revenue are reshaping one of the SEC’s biggest rivalry weekends.