Kirby Smart confirms why Florida-Georgia isn't held on home campuses

It’s no secret that Kirby Smart wants the annual game to be played on home campuses when he takes on the Florida Gators. It’s also no secret that money is a significant factor in why the game is not held on home campuses in the modern era.

In an interview with SiriusXM, Smart brought that issue out into the open, confirming what many already suspected.

Florida–Georgia: A Case of Mo Money, Mo Problems

It was also reported last week that Florida and Georgia are set to make a significant sum of money by playing their rivalry game in Atlanta and Tampa in 2026 and 2027 while the stadium in Jacksonville undergoes renovations.

Smart has long been a proponent of moving the game to home campuses, and he addressed the issue again this week with SiriusXM:

“That was an AD decision. It ultimately came down to money. And, you know, Mercedes and Tampa both ponied up and made really good financial offers.”

It was reported last week that both teams would receive $7.5 million in 2026 when the game is played in Atlanta. That’s in addition to the $1.5 million the city of Jacksonville is set to pay both teams in 2026 and 2027 while EverBank Stadium undergoes renovations.

Smart has previously cited recruiting as one of his main motivations for wanting the game moved.

Billy Napier has remained mostly neutral on the issue during his time with the Florida Gators, previously stating that he could be swayed either way.

The two teams have played every year in Jacksonville since 1933, with the exception of 1994 and 1995, when the game was relocated to the teams' home sites while Jacksonville Stadium underwent renovations. Georgia has an all-time series lead of 56–44–2, though the Bulldogs claim a game from 1904.