FSU and Georgia Cancel Football Games in 2027-2028 Due to New Rules

Florida State and Georgia have cancelled their 2027 and 2028 home-and-home football games. This is because new conference rules require teams to play more games against teams in their own conference.
By Newsroom | Sports, College Football |

The shifting landscape of college athletics has forced Florida State and Georgia to mutually scrap their planned 2027 and 2028 home-and-home football series. The abrupt cancellation stems directly from evolving 'scheduling mandates' within both the ACC and SEC, forcing a complex recalibration of nonconference games. Both institutions, however, are reportedly exploring the possibility of a future neutral-site contest to satisfy a desire for a marquee matchup.

The decision arrives as both leagues embrace a nine-game conference schedule. This change significantly curtails the available slots for nonconference opponents, a challenge amplified by the pre-existing annual rivalry games each program maintains: Florida State faces Florida, and Georgia plays Georgia Tech. This effectively means both teams are already committed to 10 games against conference foes, leaving minimal room for additional Power 4 opponents without compromising traditional rivalries or introducing arduous scheduling.

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Florida State's athletic director, Michael Alford, stated the cancellation was in the "best interest of both schools" amidst these "evolving scheduling mandates." Georgia, meanwhile, had previously initiated discussions about altering the series, even reportedly proposing a neutral-site game as far back as December 2025.

This move highlights a broader trend of conference realignments and schedule consolidation impacting traditional nonconference rivalries, as institutions prioritize conference integrity and competitiveness. The proposed neutral-site game, though not yet finalized, suggests a continued intent to feature high-profile matchups, albeit outside the traditional home-and-away format. Details regarding potential dates or locations for such a neutral-site game remain under discussion.

Background: A Dance of Mandates and Tradition

The original agreement for the home-and-home series between Florida State and Georgia was announced in April 2019. The decision to cancel these future matchups, announced on Thursday, signifies a significant departure from that initial plan. Georgia has also recently canceled other nonconference games, including those against Louisville and NC State, further illustrating the growing pressure on scheduling. Florida State, for its part, had expressed a desire to include a return game at Alabama on its schedule, which would have been complicated by the existing series with Georgia. The cancellations come amidst ongoing discussions within college football about expanding playoff formats and revenue generation, factors that often influence scheduling decisions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Florida State and Georgia cancel their 2027 and 2028 football games?
Both teams had to cancel because their conferences (ACC and SEC) have new rules about scheduling. These rules mean teams must play more games against teams in their own conference, leaving less time for games against other teams.
Q: What does this mean for Florida State and Georgia fans?
Fans will not see these teams play each other at home in 2027 and 2028 as planned. The teams are looking into playing a game at a different location, not at either team's home stadium, in the future.
Q: Why are conferences changing their scheduling rules?
Conferences are changing rules to make sure teams play enough games against other teams in their own conference. This is important because of new plans for bigger playoff games and more money.
Q: Will Florida State and Georgia still play each other at all?
It is possible. Both schools want to play a big game against each other. They are thinking about playing at a neutral site, like a stadium that doesn't belong to either team. Details are still being worked out.