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The two universities agreed to keep the game in Jacksonville through 2025 despite some calls for the game to be moved to school campuses.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Since 1933, the Florida-Georgia game has called Jacksonville home and over time it’s become one of college football’s greatest rivalries.
“When you’re talking about 100 years for example of tradition, you’re talking about 100 years of just the time,” Dave Chauncey, President Emeritus of the Jacksonville Historical Society, said.
Chauncey has studied the game’s history and future in Jacksonville.
“The game is definitely in flux I would say at this point long term,” Chauncey said.
Last July, Georgia head coach, Kirby Smart, called for the game to be moved to campus. Smart said a neutral site game is bad for recruiting.
Despite those comments, both schools agreed to keep the game in Jacksonville for two more years. But there is uncertainty after that, especially with a potential stadium renovation looming.
“I mean, I think it’s a huge part of them keeping the game here is having a state-of-the-art facility that they can go to that they can recruit at and say, ‘hey this a unique setting 50/50, this is as much of a championship environment as you’ll find anywhere in the country,'” Chauncey said.
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The City of Jacksonville and the Jaguars are in the early stages of negotiations for a stadium renovation deal.
Mayor Deegan says Florida and Georgia are both excited about the possibility of a new stadium. But, a deal to stay in Jacksonville past 2025 has to be discussed.
“As far as negotiations go that’s a work in progress but we are absolutely committed to keeping that game in Jacksonville and very excited to do so,” Mayor Deegan said.
Florida-Georgia is one of only a few neutral site rivalries left in college football. In an evolving sport with conference realignment and name image and likeness tradition has become history.
Chauncey hopes Jacksonville’s tradition can survive.
“If you lose something like this, you’re probably not going to get it back the same way being able to hold on to traditions the few traditions we have that are really special it’s what keeps college football college football.”
