Additional changes made to Kentucky-Akron football series

Back in 2018, Kentucky and Akron agreed to a three-game series on the gridiron that was originally expected to begin this past season in 2021. But a year later in 2019, the series was pushed back to begin in 2023.

At the time, Kentucky was scheduled to host Akron in 2024 and 2026 while traveling to play the Zips in 2023 to kickoff the series. However, according to Josh Moore of the Lexington Herald-Leader, those dates have been shifted around once again. The new plan is for Kentucky to host Akron in 2023 and 2026 with the trip to Akron moved back a year to 2024.

According to Moore, the University of Kentucky will pay $750,000 to Akron in 2023 and another $550,000 in 2026 to play the games in Lexington at Kroger Field. UK will also pay Akron $750,000 for the 2024 road trip to InfoCision-Summa Field in Ohio, which holds roughly 30,000 people.

Akron was originally scheduled to host Kentucky in the third week of the season in 2023, but now the Zips will open the 2024 season hosting the ‘Cats.

Kentucky will be the first SEC program to ever play on Akron’s home turf. As part of the recently amended contract, UK will now pay Akron a little over $2 million across the three-game stretch as opposed to the previously set price tag of $1.75 million. However, as Moore notes, that money will now be spread over three budget cycles instead of two.

The Wildcats have played Akron once before in history, a 47-10 victory for Kentucky all the way back in Sept. 2010.