College football fans can look forward to a marquee matchup to open the 2028 season, as the Florida State Seminoles and Georgia Bulldogs have officially agreed to a neutral-site showdown. Insider Brett McMurphy of On3 confirmed the news, which follows the cancellation of the originally planned home-and-home series for 2027 and 2028.
The two powerhouse programs had initially scheduled games at Sanford Stadium and Doak Campbell Stadium, but scheduling conflicts forced a change. With the SEC moving to a nine-game conference schedule, Georgia’s flexibility for high-profile out-of-conference home-and-away series became limited. A one-time neutral-site game emerged as the best solution, satisfying TV networks while avoiding a multi-year commitment for both schools.
FSU Athletic Director Michael Alford confirmed seven cities are vying to host the game: Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, and Tampa. Stadium options include Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but Nashville’s new enclosed Titans stadium—scheduled to open by 2028—is considered a strong contender.
The choice of venue will heavily influence home-field advantage. Atlanta would tilt the game toward Georgia fans, while Florida cities like Orlando, Tampa, or Miami would give the Seminoles a geographic boost. FSU has large alumni bases in South Florida (44,000) and Central Florida (46,000), ready to fill seats.
The matchup carries extra weight due to recent history. The last meeting was the infamous 2023 Orange Bowl, where Florida State—undefeated at 13-0 but snubbed from the College Football Playoff after a quarterback injury—faced Georgia, the two-time defending national champions. Georgia dominated 63-3, one of the worst blowouts in bowl history. With many FSU players opting out, the Seminoles will be eager for revenge when the teams clash in 2028.
The game promises to be one of the season’s biggest non-conference battles, blending elite talent, regional rivalry, and unfinished business.