Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said that she was "'extraordinarily optimistic' that the city will sign a new contract" with the Univ. of Florida and Univ. of Georgia to "keep the rivalry game in the city from 2028 and beyond," following the completion of the EverBank Stadium renovation project that will send the game to two other neutral sites in 2026 and 2027. Deegan during a news conference at City Hall today said that the city and the two schools had “made great progress in several months of meetings,” and that she anticipated an announcement “very soon.” Deegan said that the announcement "could come before kickoff" of the Florida-Georgia game on Saturday. Deegan’s comments are the "best indication yet" that the rivalry game "will come back to Jacksonville when the stadium project is finished" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 10/29).
Jax mayor 'optimistic' on new UF-UGA contract
