Tampa Bay, Raymond James Stadium to Host Annual Florida-Georgia SEC Football Rivalry in 2027

TAMPA, FL - The University of Florida (UF), the University of Georgia (UGA), and local Tampa Bay officials, have officially announced that the Florida-Georgia Football Weekend will take place in Tampa, Florida at Raymond James Stadium for the 2027 season. 

With stadium renovations underway at the series' current neutral site meeting spot, EverBank Stadium, the game will transition out of Jacksonville and to Atlanta (2026) and Tampa (2027) for two seasons. 

“The Florida-Georgia game is one of college football’s greatest spectacles and we could not be more excited to have the opportunity to host in 2027,” said Rob Higgins, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. “Team Tampa Bay has a rich tradition and appreciation for college football and there’s no doubt that today’s announcement will play a huge role in our community’s next chapter. Thank you to both schools for entrusting us with this unique opportunity.” 

RJS is no stranger to hosting top-tier events, as the home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers has also hosted the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship and Super Bowl LV. In addition to a robust concert and entertainment schedule, the stadium is a premier destination for sporting events such as Reliaquest Bowl, Gasparilla Bowl, U.S. Soccer, Monster Energy/AMA Supercross, Monster Jam, and in 2025 the Savannah Bananas World Tour, among many others. 

“The Gators are excited about the opportunity to play Georgia in Tampa in 2027,” said Athletics Director Scott Stricklin. “Tampa Bay is a special Gator community and Raymond James Stadium, which has hosted both CFP National Championships and Super Bowls, will be a fantastic venue for fans of both schools. We are appreciative of the work and effort of Rob Higgins and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission to make this game happen and we are looking forward to building on the many memories the Gators have from playing in Tampa.”

“We are fortunate to have a pair of exceptional venues that will host the Georgia-Florida game for a two-year period while Jacksonville’s EverBank Stadium undergoes major renovations,” J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks said. “This game will join a long line of major events to take place in Atlanta and Tampa — cities that have hosted both the Super Bowl and the College Football Playoff National Championship. Our goal, as always, is to create a first-class experience for our student-athletes, staff and fans, and this temporary move will only enhance the storied Georgia-Florida rivalry.”

Last played in Tampa in 1919, the rivalry moved to Jacksonville in 1933 (Athens, 1995) as the primary neutral site location, splitting the difference between Gainesville, FL and Athens, GA. The two iconic SEC programs have met over 100 times during its history, and Georgia currently holds a 55-44-2 lifetime record over the Gators. Recognized as one of the nation’s most intense and historic matchups, the game has showcased some of the biggest stars in college football, numerous future NFL Hall of Famers, and unforgettable games and moments from both teams. 

“As a proud University of Florida alumnus and former student-athlete, helping bring the Florida-Georgia Football game to our hometown has been on my bucket list for a really long time,” said Ken Hagan, Hillsborough County Commission Chairman. “We’ve been fortunate to host a lot of great events over the years, but this one has special meaning to me personally. I am grateful to all of our community partners who worked tirelessly with us to make this dream a reality.”

"What better place to hold one of college football’s greatest rivalries than the world's greatest city,” said Jane Castor, Mayor of Tampa.

Additional information regarding tickets, ancillary events, and other critical event info will be made available at tampabaysports.org in the future.

Fans can also follow the Tampa Bay Sports Commission on social @sportstampabay. 

WHAT COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE SAYING

Tampa Sports Authority

“We are extremely excited to bring this marquee event to Raymond James Stadium, a venue where we have hosted Super Bowls, major concerts, international soccer, and a College Football championship,” said Eric Hart, President and CEO of the Tampa Sports Authority,” Our partnership with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission continues to grow and provide world-class sporting events to our area. These two elite universities selecting Tampa Bay is just another example of the reputation of our community.”

Visit Tampa Bay

“What better place to host the Florida-Georgia rivalry football game than Tampa Bay with its reputation for throwing some of the world’s greatest celebrations, whether it’s Super Bowls and College Football Playoff National Championships at Raymond James Stadium, championship boat parades for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or our annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest,” said Santiago Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome one of the greatest spectacles in the SEC and all of college sports to the hip, urban heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Visit Tampa Bay and our 900 partners understand the economic impact of a headline game like this and welcome a sell-out crowd to enjoy our fantastic destination.”