Why do Georgia and Florida play in Jacksonville? We have the answer. Since the 1930s, Florida and Georgia have almost always played their yearly championship game in Jacksonville. The Gators and Bulldogs compete in Jacksonville because both sides have given up a lot of advantages to making this game possible where it is.
But why do they play their rivalry game in Jacksonville? Except for 1994 and 1995, when they competed in Gainesville and Athens, UF and UGA have played all of their games in Jacksonville since they first began doing so in 1933.
The Jaguars of the NFL have called EverBank Field their home since the late 1990s. According to the most logical explanations of the situation, the Train routes between the different college cities and Jacksonville were fairly accessible for supporters, according to Florida researcher Norm Carlson.
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All You Must Know About The Game Of Georgia & Florida
A historic national event, the yearly Georgia-Florida rivalry unites the town of Jacksonville to commemorate college football unlike any other city in the nation. Since 1933, it has been a cherished tradition that has evolved into a showcase for one of the rivalries that make college football so wonderful.
Thanks to the stadium’s 55,000 square feet of TV screens, there isn’t a bad seat in the house! Star athletes from Florida and Georgia have played in this rivalry, including Herschel Walker, Matthew Stafford, Scott Woerner, Tim Tebow, Fred Taylor, and Danny Wuerffel, heroes from Florida. Not to mention some of the best coaches to ever stand on the sidelines, like Steve Spurrier and Vince Dooley.
Why Do Georgia And Florida Play In Jacksonville?
Because fans from both colleges could easily travel there by rail, they transferred the game to Jacksonville in 1933, according to historian Carlson, and it worked out well. “The arena was sold out another year, and from there on, it was hosted in Jacksonville,” Carlson, a historian, explained. The game continued to draw spectators even as the others suffered during the Great Depression.
Ever wonder why #UFvsUGA is played in Jacksonville? Gators historian Norm Carlson has the answer.
cc @FLvsGA @GatorsFB pic.twitter.com/q7ZMwePfqj— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) October 28, 2016
The subsequent year, the Notre Dame-Southern California game, which was the major national rivalry then, saw a 50 percent drop in attendance due to the tough times, according to Carlson. Gainesville and Athens are both reachable distances from Jacksonville. It takes roughly an hour and a half to drive from UF. It takes five and a half hours from Athens.
The Gators have a small geographical home-field advantage because of that. However, tickets are split equally between the two teams, and both fan bases are dispersed extensively over the Southeast, creating an impartial environment. Because a trip like that is difficult for college students, Georgia students didn’t claim their entire ticket allocation last year. However, Georgia supporters soon snatched up the extras.
Will The Venue Always Be Jacksonville?
The two institutions must continuously renew their agreement with the city for this game to continue in Jacksonville. Since they most recently did it in 2016, Jacksonville will continue to host the event through at least 2023. The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is an annual event that stands out since it is held in Jacksonville during this long-running rivalry.
Few rivalry games are played at neutral sites annually, despite what could seem to be a global pattern of moving college football matches there. This rivalry has typically not been played on the campus of either team, and it doesn’t appear that Jacksonville will be the new home of this matchup any time soon. Nevertheless, not everyone likes the place.
With a yearly country music festival and something dubbed the Georgia-Florida Lunch and Hall of Fame Ceremonies, it’s a significant occasion for Jacksonville’s tourism industry. Additionally, it works out well for the schools. Most years, both teams continue to play their seven scheduled home games, with Cocktail Party only skipping one.
Since teams can earn good money without giving up home games, neutral-site tournaments have taken over sports in recent years. In the first week of the season, right before NFL games begin, they are particularly well-liked as TV money grabs. However, Florida-Georgia is an exception. Such as, the Texas-Oklahoma Red River Battle in the Cotton Bowl is pure.
What Do The Two Schools And The Coaches Feel About The Venue?
To keep the match in Jacksonville until at least 2023 (and potentially until 2025, if everyone is content enough), the two schools extended their contracts, but Georgia head coach Kirby Smart appears to be open to shifting the match. Dan Mullen, the head coach of Florida, appears to be open to the notion. And if you can manage to get rival head coaches to perhaps concur on something, things might change.
