Georgia’s athletic program confirmed on December 10, 2025, that it has reached an agreement with Louisville to cancel their scheduled home-and-home football series beginning in 2026. This decision comes just ahead of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) unveiling its college football schedules for the upcoming year. In addition to Louisville, Georgia also announced the cancellation of a similar series with North Carolina State, set for the 2033 and 2034 seasons. The two programs hope to arrange a neutral site matchup at a later date.
With both the SEC and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) transitioning to a nine-game league schedule starting in 2026, the move reflects the ongoing adjustments in college football scheduling driven by recent developments. Louisville’s athletic director, Josh Heird, commented on the situation, stating that Georgia had communicated its need to opt out of the 2026 game, indicating that such changes are part of the evolving college sports landscape.
If the two sides had not reached a mutual agreement, Georgia would have incurred a $1 million penalty for canceling the game. Moreover, Louisville could have demanded that Georgia host them in 2027 or pay an additional buyout. The complexities of managing an expanded ACC schedule also influenced Louisville’s decision to modify its nonconference matchups.
To mitigate potential financial repercussions while still providing a competitive experience for fans, Heird mentioned the idea of scheduling a forthcoming game in a neutral location for the early 2030s. This strategy aims to maintain a prominent matchup for supporters while adapting to the changing dynamics of postseason expectations in college football.
Later that same day, Louisville disclosed plans to kick off its 2026 season against Ole Miss, with the game set for September 5 or 6, taking place at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Louisville previously faced Western Kentucky at the same venue in 2019. The two schools had previously met in a matchup in Atlanta in 2021, where Ole Miss emerged victorious.
Heird praised head coach Jeff Brohm, noting his willingness to tackle tough nonconference opponents, emphasizing that the program is committed to maintaining a rigorous schedule against formidable teams.
