Georgia's annual opponents locked in for next four years
The SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2026. It will feature three annual opponents and the other six will come and go on a rotational basis. The full announcement will come on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET, but On3’s Chris Low confirmed multiple DawgsHQ reports on Monday morning, reporting that Georgia will play Auburn, Florida, and South Carolina.
The Gators and Tigers were locks to be on Georgia’s permanent schedule. DawgsHQ reported last week and then again on Monday morning that the Gamecocks would, indeed, be the third annual opponent. Georgia and South Carolina last played in 2024. South Carolina led that game 14-3 at the half but Georgia stormed back and won the final two quarters by a score of 21-0 to win 24-14.
The new schedule model will allow every SEC team to play every other program in the league home and away in four-year intervals. It also calls for each team in the league to schedule a non-conference game against a Power 5 opponent. UGA already has that built in with it’s annual matchup with Georgia Tech.
“Adding a ninth SEC game underscores our universities’ commitment to delivering the most competitive football schedule in the nation,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. “This format protects rivalries, increases competitive balance, and paired with our requirement to play an additional Power opponent, ensures SEC teams are well prepared to compete and succeed in the College Football Playoff.”
Top 10
- 1New
Big Ten $2B infusion
Reported private capital talks
- 2
Makhi Hughes
Oregon RB's future takes turn
- 3Trending
Diego Pavia, Johnny Manziel
Go in depth on friendship
- 4Hot
SEC Football
Ranking teams from first to last
- 5
Ranking every Power 4 QB
Surprise No. 1
Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
The move to a nine-game schedule preserves the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry between Georgia and Auburn. Under the current eight-game format, there was room for just one annual game. Florida was that team for UGA.
Two teams that Georgia has grown to expect playing, Kentucky and Tennessee, will fall off the schedule in 2026. Prior to the SEC electing to go with the current format, which started in 2024, reporting suggested that the Wildcats would be sticking around on the schedule as an annual opponent.
“The SEC has established itself as the leader in delivering the most compelling football schedule in college athletics,” Sankey said. “Fans will see traditional rivalries preserved, new matchups more frequently, and a level of competition unmatched across the nation.”
