Florida football vs UGA remains hot ticket despite increased prices

The Florida football–Georgia rivalry will begin the first of a two-year hiatus from Jacksonville when the two teams play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday, October 31 (3:30 p.m., ABC).

The Atlanta Gridiron Classic border war game between the Florida Gators and Bulldogs was moved from Jacksonville due to a $1.4 billion major renovation project being done on EverBank Stadium for the Jacksonville Jaguars. It will be played in 2027 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa before returning to Jacksonville in 2028.

The move to Atlanta resulted in increased face value ticket prices for consumers, which were set by both schools, according to a memorandum of understanding obtained by the Athens Banner-Herald. Non-suite ticket prices at EverBank Stadium ranged from $150-200 in 2025, whereas ticket prices at Mercedez-Benz Stadium are ranged from $155 in the upper level to $365 in the lower bowl.

Despite the higher prices, Florida spokesman Scott Burns said UF sold out its allotment of 29,071 tickets by late August. Falcons personal seat license ticket holders also got tickets, which subtracted from the 50-50 split between UF and Georgia at the 75,000-seat domed stadium.

GET ATLANTA GRIDIRON TICKETS ON STUB HIB

Overall demand for the game remains strong despite the higher ticket costs. On secondary markets tickets are going as high at $1,003 in the lower bowl on StubHub, with the cheapest tickets going for $197 in the upper deck. Event spokesperson Jason Kirksey said the game is sold out to capacity and that some standing room only tickets were put on sale this week to meet demand.

Whether the stadium will be a true 50-50 split of Florida and Georgia fans remains to be seen. Travel costs for Florida fans will be higher due the longer distance (gas) and the possibility of staying one or two nights in Atlanta rather than make the five-plus hour drive back to the Sunshine State following the game.

Some Florida fans could opt to sell tickets on secondary markets. But with No. 20 Florida (5-2, 3-2 SEC) reviving its SEC title and College Football Playoff hopes following a 27-24 upset win at Texas on October 17, fans may be willing to incur the costs to see if first-year coach Jon Sumrall can lead the Gators to another signature upset win against a Top 10-ranked team. No. 3 Georgia (6-1, 4-1 SEC) is currently an 11.5-point favorite, per BetMGM.

Sumrall understands it could be more of a road atmosphere compared to Jacksonville due to travel demands for UF fans.

“You have to know that Atlanta is not necessarily our backyard, right,” Sumrall said. “But the 50-50 thing is a unique deal that I think is exciting for our guys because you’re in kind of a different environment than a normal SEC game, which is fun.”

Florida and Georgia are each receiving a $7.5 million payout for the game from AMB Sports & Entertainment, the company owned by Arthur Blank that owns and operates the Atlanta Falcons.

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football vs UGA remains hot ticket despite increased prices

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