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Georgia, Florida reportedly set for impressive pay days at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2026

On3 imageby: Jake Rowe05/20/25JakeMRowe
Nate Frazier Georgia
Georgia wide receiver London Humphreys (16), Georgia running back Nate Frazier (3), and Georgia tight end Lawson Luckie (7) during Georgia’s game against Clemson in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (Conor Dillon/UGAAA)

Georgia and Florida won’t earn as much with their 2026 game inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium as they will in Jacksonville but the numbers are fairly close. According to Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald, the Bulldogs and Gators each get a guaranteed payout of $7.5 million for that game, which is being played in Atlanta due to construction/renovation on Everbank Field.

That’s down from the $10 million each school will be guaranteed in Jacksonville in 2025 but the city is chipping in to help each program get closer to whole. The ABH reports that Jacksonville will give $3 million each to UGA and UF for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, both of which will be played away from its normal venue. The 2027 game is set for Tampa, Fla. and Raymond James Stadium. Georgia and Florida will each get $1.5 million in 2026 and $1.5 million in 2027.

The annual showdown between the two teams will return to Jacksonville in 2028 with, per Weiszer, guaranteed payouts reaching $10 million for the first two years. It remains under contract in it’s usual venue through the 2031 season. Guaranteed payouts grow to $10.5 million for 2030 and 2031.

According to the report, each school is set to get the same number of tickets regardless of alternate venue. The 2026 contest will be played inside the Peach State for the first time in over 30 years but Georgia won’t be getting more tickets, just like Florida doesn’t get more in Jacksonville and won’t in Tampa, either. Each school will continue to get a half million dollars to spend on travel.

Weiszer also reports that Arthur Blank Media Sports and Entertainment will be footing the bill for the $7.5 million that will go to each team, not the city of Atlanta. ABMSE serves as the owner, operator, and rights holder for Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Atlanta Falcons, and Atlanta United. In return, Blank’s company will retain rights and call the shots for most, if not all, revenues streams for the 2026 game. That includes advertising, concessions, parking, and ticketing.

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