Louisville, Georgia cancel series, Cards find another SEC partner in 2026
Just hours after the official cancellation of the two-year home-and-home football series between Louisville and Georgia, the Cardinals and U of L Athletics Director Josh Heird have already arranged a replacement game for the 2026 season.
Instead of hosting the Bulldogs, Louisville will take on the University of Mississippi, both schools announced Wednesday.
Ole Miss and Louisville will play on either Sep. 5 or 6 at Nissan Stadium, the home of the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
“We are excited to partner with Ole Miss, ESPN, and Nashville Sports Council to bring this season-opening matchup to Nashville,” said Heird. “This contest presents a tremendous opportunity for our program, our student-athletes, and our fans. Nashville is home to a strong Cardinals presence, and showcasing Louisville Football in a premier venue on a national stage is something we wholeheartedly embrace.”
Heird added, “Jeff Brohm has never shied away from playing a challenging non-conference schedule and is always willing to face anyone in the country. His approach reflects the competitive spirit we want at Louisville—embracing opportunities to compete against elite programs and preparing our football team for the highest level of competition. That mindset not only strengthens our program but also excites our fan base and elevates the national profile of Louisville Football.”
Earlier in the day, Heird cited the reasoning behind cancelling the football series with Georgia, while also affirming that the two programs were hoping to schedule a single-game non-conference game (similar to the one Louisville has with Ole Miss) in the early 2030s. The biggest cause for the schedule change is the SEC and ACC’s recent adoption of a nine-game conference football schedule starting in 2026.
So while Louisville won’t have a massive home game against Georgia, the fans will be treated to a fun Labor Day weekend in a city under a three-hour drive away.
The Cardinals have played in Nisaan Stadium just once recently, a 2019 win over Western Kentucky, and last played the Rebels in 2021, the schools’ first-ever meeting. Louisville ended up losing that game 43-24 in Atlanta, as Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral threw for 381 yards.
Also on the non-conference schedule next season, Louisville will travel to Kentucky (Nov. 28) and host both Charlotte (Sep. 16) and FCS-level Villanova (TBA).
Brohm’s Cardinals travel to Boca Raton for their bowl game against Toledo. Louisville is seeking its third consecutive nine-win season.
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