JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida-Georgia college football rivalry, a Jacksonville tradition since 1933, will temporarily move away from the city due to stadium renovations, with games scheduled in Atlanta and Tampa for the next two years.
Government law attorney Chris Hand shared insights on what this means for the city during our regular segment, Hand on Government on This Week In Jacksonville.
“It’s remarkable to reflect on the history of this storied rivalry right here in Jacksonville,” Hand said. “It’s been played here since 1933, and there’s only been two exceptions. One was in 1995 and 1996, when the current stadium here in Jacksonville was being built. And so they played at home, one on each campus during that time. This is the second one for the same reason. They’re going to be renovating the stadium so they’re going to be playing next year in Atlanta and the year after that in Tampa while that stadium construction is going on.”
He emphasized the economic significance of the game for Northeast Florida.
“That would be a huge impact,” Hand said. “Economically, a lot of hotel rooms being sold, a lot of restaurants – millions of dollars of economic impact.”
Hand also reflected on the rivalry’s importance beyond economics.
“This event each year was something that very early put Jacksonville on the national radar,” Hand said. “It was a big rivalry game you knew was going to be on national television. Each year was a highly anticipated event.”
Though the game will be missed locally during the renovation period, it is set to return in 2028.
To watch the full interview and hear our conversation with Chris Hand about the government shutdown and what it means for everyday Floridians, tune in to This Week in Jacksonville on Sunday at 9 a.m.
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.