Georgia-Florida game moving to Atlanta? World’s Largest Cocktail Party mulls moving up I-75
UGA fans tailgate during the "World's Largest Cocktail Party," aka the Georgia-Florida game, in the RV parking lot outside Jacksonville's Alltel Stadium. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
Tradition defines the Georgia-Florida game as technically being played on neutral turf – “neutral” being Jacksonville and Jacksonville being in Florida.
“No, there are no talks going on,” Evans said Friday. “Gary Stokan of the Atlanta Sports Council has expressed interest in and approached us about moving the game to Atlanta. That’s the extent of it. I wouldn’t call it talks.”
“We’re not asking to move half the games or all of the games to Atlanta,” Stokan said. “We respect tradition. We’re just looking for one of the four.”
Georgia’s contract to play Florida in Jacksonville — a location that has long rankled Dogs fans — expires next year.
“Obviously, we have heard of these kind of discussions before,” Florida Athletics Director Jeremy Foley said. “We have been strong proponents of keeping the game in Jacksonville and that has not changed.”
WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? Should the Georgia-Florida game call the Dome home every four years or is the annual trip to Jax just too much of a tradition to alter in any way, shape or form? Economically speaking, how much of a boost to the metro economy would this be? Would you be as inclined to go to the game in Atlanta?
Related story: Evans dismisses talks of moving Ga.-Fla. to Atlanta
Photos: ATL vs. JAX: Who’d be the better Ga-Fla host? Vote for the better city!
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365 comments Add your comment
T-Ray
March 20th, 2009
6:09 pm
I am a Gator fan/alumni (born and raised in Georgia); and I think the games should be played alternaately as home and away games. However, the Jax game has a “great” following that is very special. A lot of South Georgia Dawg fans really love it; as do I! It is an experience no one forgets.
I would hate to see it turned to a commercial enterprise in Atlanta. That would be just be DawgGone WRONG! That would ruin the whole game IMO!
Go Gators!
Go Dawgs
Go SEC
ddawg
March 20th, 2009
6:13 pm
Yes, we need it in Georgia every other year. Why should Florida get homefield advantage every year?
Paul Metcalf
March 20th, 2009
6:17 pm
We whoop ya every year in Jacksonville and we’d be happy to bring the whoopins to your state. Jacksonville, Atlanta, Anchorage, Baghdad…doesn’t matter to us Gators. We don’t need need excuses like the UGA Bullpuppies use when they cry about the games’ location. When you’re good, you’re good…location doesn’t matter.
Spurrier took a 52-17 Pi$$ing @between the shrubs
March 20th, 2009
6:33 pm
PuppyDawg u remember that beating in Athens from the Gators @between the shrubs in 1995? AHHH the pain still hurts today for UGA fans..Spurrier still holds the record for hanging half a hundred @ between the shrubs!!
Spurrier took a 52-17 Pi$$ing @between the shrubs
March 20th, 2009
6:34 pm
Gators own the UGA Mutts and Georgia Dome too!
UF-FSU
March 20th, 2009
7:04 pm
Gainesville to JAX is 71 miles (travel time per MapQuest = 1 hr 21 min.)
Athens to JAX is 362 miles (travel time by air for an equivalent distance of MIA to JAX = 1 hr 20 min.) I have to assume GA would charter a direct flight from Athens to Jax.
Travel time is not the issue here. Dawg fans are just tired of limping home with their figurative tails between their figurative legs year after year. GA has equal, or nearly equal, talent. Your problem is mental – you need a shrink.
Stop with the garbage about this being a Florida home game. Win the game more than 16% of the time (3 of the last 19) like you used to and this whole argument goes away.
If we beat you consistently in Atlanta you’ll be finding other things to blame – turf, climate, concessions …
Matt
March 20th, 2009
7:12 pm
I know people like to say that nobody complained when UGA was dominating the series. But until Spurrier showed up, Florida had not won the SEC. UGA wasn’t beating very good Florida teams down there. You can’t tell me Florida doesn’t have an advantage. UGA competes with every SEC school except Florida, and Florida doesn’t dominate other SEC powers like it does UGA. I would prefer a home and home scenario. Both schools are at a disadvantage when it comes to scheduling out of conference games due to the neutral site and the out of conference games against GT and FSU.
Wesley
March 20th, 2009
7:26 pm
Leave the game in J-ville…………It gives us in South Ga. a chance to see our beloved Dawgs
OHSO
March 20th, 2009
7:27 pm
I am a uga graduate and noe live at St. Simons. UGA fans have become an embrassment and are not welcome her. Keep your trailer trash in Athens .
morgwreck243
March 20th, 2009
7:45 pm
I think it would be a huge mistake if they move the game away from Jacksonville to Atlanta, even on a rotation. However if everyone is so deadset on moving the game because it is not a true neutral site then I recommend moving the game to Savannah. Granted you would have to build a sizeable stadium, but I think the money can be found for a college football game. The game would still be on the coast so everyone can still party at their beaches and the game would actually be more equidistant between the two schools. And to help with the funding you can add another bowl game. Hey, if they have one in Detroit, Washington, DC and Boise, then they can have one in Savannah. Or just move one of those to Savannah.
AltamahaDawg
March 20th, 2009
7:55 pm
Odd how some of you know exactly what would be in the best interest of the players when it come to moving this game, and yet, I don’t believe I have ever heard a single UGA player agree.
The delusion is that the better football team isn’t going to win that game no matter where is it played, and somehow the Gators are using the slight edge to thier advantage. Name the year that the game tilted on the gators using J-ville as an advantage. Just one example please. I can name several games that UGA had an honest to goodness home field advantage, and it didn’t help them win. I believe the gators loss on occation right in thier own swamp too.
S.E. Dawg
March 20th, 2009
9:09 pm
If the game is moved to the Dome, Atlanta and Dome officials need to make the occasion more fan friendly as in create more space for tailgating. Create a place for GA. and FL. fans to get together the night before the game such as the Landing. It doesn’t have to be on the water. Bring in some top notch entertainment for all to enjoy and I’m not talking about local bands, (brand name bands).
If they can’t do these kind of things I prefer home and home, because anyway you slice it’s a travel game for the Dawgs
macon1dawg
March 20th, 2009
9:44 pm
Have the game in Macon each year, at the local high school. It’s about half way for each school. Just add about 80,000 temporary seats to the stadium–no big deal.
SamoanDawg
March 20th, 2009
11:17 pm
Leave it alone, for crying out loud. Don’t mess with it. It’s a nice stadium.. one of best game I been to was in ‘97.. plus more seats than the Dome.
chuckdog
March 21st, 2009
12:20 am
give us a break in south ga. we have to travel 250 miles to every home game in athens. let us continue to have one game a year that is only a 75 mile ride. otherwise, you may lose some more of us to georgia southern saturdays.
Junkyard_Dawg71
March 21st, 2009
1:33 am
I like the neutral site but any site 1 1/2 from one school in their state, and 5 hours from another out of their state, isn’t exactly neutral. I would love to see every other year Jax and Dome– each site about 90 minutes from the opposing school so its fair enough for their fan base. Anyone complaining about an “indoor game” on a “beautiful fall afternoon” has never sat in 4 0r 5 of the toorential down pours that have occured in Jax in the past 15 years.
Dixie Dog
March 21st, 2009
9:16 am
The GA/FL game is unique, don’t ruin it by taking it to the DOME. You can’t have a decent tailgate at the DOME and football is meant to be played outside. Besides, when I was a student we won in Jax and the FL people wanted to drop that location. Furthermore, we did have a home/home game in the 90’s and lost both. Location isn’t the issue on the win/loss issue. It is one of the greatest traditions in sports, especially in football so don’t screw it up!!!
Spike
March 21st, 2009
10:20 am
But where would we move the annnual “Gators Eat Boogers” golf tournament that is played in Brunswick every Friday before the game? In Hoc, boys.
Rob
March 21st, 2009
10:22 am
Underground Atlanta and horrible tailgating conditions or the Sunny Beaches of Florida and tailgating along the St. John’s River? Jacksonville is easily the better pick!
The Dome is a great idea in Minnesota but a bad idea in the south. If you want to move the game to Georgia Athens is the place to be. 92,000+ of your closest friends
AltamahaDawg
March 21st, 2009
11:34 am
I sat in those torential downpour in J-ville, but lets be honest 1 or 2 not, not 5 or 6. Great memories as far as I am concerned. Not because of the rain, but despite the rain. It’s a college football game. When I want to look at the latest electronic equipment, the dome would be my first choice.
Bulldawg Billy
March 21st, 2009
12:31 pm
This blog sux,change the subject!!! Regardless of your opinions,the game will be played in jax.
Dawgreb
March 21st, 2009
12:45 pm
As a Doubledawg, cast my vote for home on home. We are not playing this game on a neutral field. Remember ‘85 when the Jax police clubbed the UGA fans when they came on the field. I think the Mayor was Jake Godbold. To my recollectio, the Gator fans were not treated the same way when they won the year before
T B Shirey
March 21st, 2009
1:00 pm
I’ve been lobbying to get the game moved for more than twenty years to no avail. During the Dooley years they even surveyed the season ticket buyers and they voted overwhelmingly to move the game to home and home. Sadly, there is too much money involved (although I cannot help but believe Atlanta could match Jaxsonville’s offer). Also, there are the perks to Athletic Directors and University Presidents (sky box utilization, hotel suites, wining and dining etc.). Let’s face it the Geogia fans pay for this game to be held in Jacksonville. The price of hotel rooms double over the price charged the privious or following week; menu prices in restaurants esclate. The seats inside the stadium might be split on a “neutral site” basis but the atmosphere outside the stadium (including the police force) is all Gator. The game will ultimately be moved to home and home when economics dictate it.The mood of the country is such that it will not be long when lavish entertainment in the form of attendance at athletic events will no longer be tax exempt and Georgia will need that “seventh” home game to entice buyers to spring for their season ticket package. The other factor that might make Georgia Administrators come to there senses is sooner or later there is going to be a horrific auto crash of a car filled with students from UGA. Maybe then the University will recognize that it is sponsoring a weekend drunk for many of its students.
dpbdawg
March 21st, 2009
1:03 pm
Enjoy the game in Jax’s, but tired of getting bent over by the city and all the hotels.
FloridaDawg
March 21st, 2009
4:58 pm
Dawgreb…I remember the ‘85 game like it was yesterday…we kicked Florida’s butt right here in Jax. They were #1 in the country at that time.
That’s when a guy named Dooley coached at UGA and he didn’t think about having to actually travel to Jax tobeat up on the Gators…he rather enjoyed it and most every Dawg fan that actually had “guts” and “pride” back then did too.
Dooley’s concern was putting a football team on the field that could get it done…he didn’t have time to develop excuses…just football players.
CBGator
March 21st, 2009
5:35 pm
Rotating between two neutral sites is the dumbest proposal from the state of Georgia since Roy Barnes’ new state flag. Just go back to a home-and-home series if we’re going to do that. You can even give more tickets to the away team, like 65/35 or 60/40, if you want to give it a more neutral feel. Otherwise, keep it as it is. Some of you Dawg fans need to know that UGA no longer drives the team down from Athens. They now fly out of Ben Epps on three planes for a one-hour flight, which is no different from UF’s one-hour bus trip from campus. A better solution is to convince the big boosters in south Georgia to give up the whole Jacksonville thing and go back to a home-and-home, since they’re the ones who have to make a 4 or 5 hour drive up to Athens vs. a 1 or 2 hour drive to Jacksonville.
CBGator
March 21st, 2009
5:36 pm
Also, Dawg Fans, please know that Gator fans from South Florida have just as long of a drive as many of you do to Jacksonville, and also get the same screwjob from hotels and restaurants.
ks345
March 21st, 2009
6:11 pm
Nothing beats a fall outdoor football game. Jax is a tradition. And NO you are wrong – the location has NOT “long rankled” dog fans. Just rankled them for the last 20 years or so…..hmmmmm. wonder why. We never heard this crap about killing such a great tradition back in the 80s, 70s, 60s and before….when the gators lost all the time. Now the tide turns and poor sports are crying….
ks345
March 21st, 2009
6:14 pm
the opinion is not btw, because i like the gators (which i do). but because i am from jacksonville originally and like seeing my hometown get something once in awhile. Atlanta is greedy and gets everything. Tell ya what – how about Atlanta gets the FL/GA game once every 4 years only if they give up the SEC Championship Game to Jax once every 4 years. how about that? (greedy money grubbers)
Egator
March 21st, 2009
11:10 pm
I’m a life long Gator and have lived in Atlanta 16 years. I’d HATE to see it in Atlanta. That is a terrible venue for the Falcons and would be even worse for a college game (I’d love the SEC Championship to go back to Birmingham or just about anywhere else). 3 games in Jax then home and home in Athens and Gainesville every 5 years. Alternatively, lets play one at Georgia Tech. Anywhere except the dome. Football indoors is just wrong – I don’t care how convenient it is.
Last point – despite the extra distance (that most Gator alum are making as well) the Dawg fans are never in short supply. It may be a shorter drive for the Gator players and students but certainly no additional home field advantage. Either set of fans would travel 20 hours to this game. Atlanta is definitely not the solution.
billyt
March 22nd, 2009
8:34 am
I say alternate home and home..No more “so called Neutral sites”. I’m tired of Jacksonville ripping us off, and treating us like c–p when we spend money with them.
1GatorHater
March 22nd, 2009
11:01 am
Let’s move the game to Atlanta for the next 70 years, it’s only fair, Fla has had it long enough.
1GatorHater
March 22nd, 2009
11:03 am
THWF !………. THEY SUCK !
1GatorHater
March 22nd, 2009
11:23 am
I would much rather drive 4 hours from Sav to Athens, It’s a much safer drive than I-95.
GatorSeoul
March 22nd, 2009
11:58 am
Does any remember when the Gators and Dawgs played a home-and-home series as Jax remodeled the stadium for the NFL? I forgot what happen in Athens. Could anyone help me out and jog my memory? Thanks.
IdahoDawg
March 22nd, 2009
3:57 pm
The UGA person who agreed to play in Jacksonville every year must be the biggest gator fan of all times. Make it home and home, that is
Athens and whereever the gators want to play. DON’T PUT IT IN THE GEORGIA DOME. That thing may fall down!!
Tarheelfool
March 22nd, 2009
4:13 pm
Hey if its a home game for one team or the other then the Seating should be 80% for the Home team and give 20% for the Visitors. Tailgating is Fun and the Dome in Atlanta does not provide that atmosphere.
1GatorHater
March 22nd, 2009
7:18 pm
Let’s rotate the Ga Dome and J-Ville, and then both teams would have a neutral site.
Ole Miss Rules
March 22nd, 2009
7:22 pm
The Gaytors shouldn’t have been crowned Nat Champs…. They couldn’t even win all there home games.
Sav Dawg
March 22nd, 2009
7:38 pm
The Jacksonville staff is definitely biased. I have seen the law enforcement give the Dawg fans a hard time for many years. The stadium staff are usually rude and inconsiderate to all the Ga fans that spend big money in there city. I would rather keep our money in our state. If we move this to the Ga Dome, Atlanta wants to build a new stadium for the Falcons, so we’ll end up with a nice new stadium to have the Ga /Fla Game………. MOVE IT ! ……..THWF !
BenJax
March 22nd, 2009
8:41 pm
I am a UGA Alum and a native of south Georgia. Moving the game would be tragic. We have the LARGEST Bulldog Club in the Nation here in Jax! We only are 25 miles south of the Georgia border. The Jax paper is known as the Florida Times Union in Florida and the Georgia Times Union in Georgia. Jax is basically South Georgia. This is a neutral site. Keep the game in Jax! If it is moved to Georgia we will still get beat in Georgia…… then what will the North Georgia fans have to complain about? BTW, I can get to Atlanta in 5 hours and it takes at least 6 hours to get to Miami, Florida’s largest metro area.
AltamahaDawg
March 23rd, 2009
7:40 am
I have been going for some 25+ yrs and I have no idea what you folks are doing to get hastled by either the J-ville police or the stadium staff, but My large group of sometimes drunk and obnoxious Dawgs fans have never had the first issue like that. We had the stadium staff kick out gator fans who were messing with out folks. We didnt ask, they saw it and stepped up. We’ve had the local police help us with car troubles.
In fact one of the only college football game I have ever attended where I got ripped off outside the stadium, and got zero help from the locals was the Georgia Dome.
Glover
March 23rd, 2009
7:47 am
I think the game should be held on campus. Let the kids playing the game have the opportunity to see what its like to play between the hedges or in the swamp. Have to remember its about them (players) not the fans.
AltamahaDawg
March 23rd, 2009
12:09 pm
It’s all about you kid, and here is what I think you should want. Just kidding Glover…..they obviously should figure in, except that they are getting a scholarship to play for the university so not sure its really only about them. Not sure we play NE La Tech for them, or travel to wherever for them, or go on a 5 week road swing for them.
Even still, in 25 years I can’t recall a single player ever lobbying to move that game. Even years later in all candor. In fact, quite the opposite.
But campus would be my vote over the convention center. AT LEAST that would as you say have some experience to the event.
UFPokerStar
March 23rd, 2009
12:12 pm
Alright lets be serious, if you’ve ever been to this game you know how great the action is. Jax parking may suck, but once your there its probably the best tailgate in the football. Ive done the sec champ @ the dome(few times Go Gators) and the party pre and post game are nothing by comparison. Tailgating is to spread out and the same with bar action. IF the SEC wants to make a little more $ lets grow up and sell alcohol. Nothing makes me more mad then getting into that stadium with a good tailgating buzz and the bud zone only sells Pepsi.
dawes
March 23rd, 2009
1:53 pm
i think they should play two years in the gator bowl and two years in the georgia dome
StAugustineDAWG
March 23rd, 2009
8:54 pm
Being a DAWG living near Jacksonville;.. Fla and Te,frkn,bow get all the publicity…but soon, when Tebow is gone, the tide will turn in UGA’s favor. Who wants to tailgate in downtown Atl, BYOB ( Bring Your Own Bodyguard).
griffdawg1
March 24th, 2009
9:31 am
HOME and AWAY baby !!!! That is the only way to have it be fair!!!!
jrddogs
March 24th, 2009
12:44 pm
Living in south Georgia, I have been to the “neutral site” 3 times. 2001 the jacked up ticket prices and the smile in your face-knife in your back from Jax and the dingy area was disappointing. 2004 the area was cleanup pretty well and a dogs victory. 2008 see 2001, deja vue even with the terrible officals in the 1st half. 2001 we were robbed. 2008 we fell apart.
Tim
March 25th, 2009
8:18 am
Need I remind all the puppy fans that support a move to ATL that before the 90s, UGA had their way with us year in and year out. There wasn’t the internet medium back then but I don’t ever remember thinking that the game should be moved despite all of UF’s trouble in Jax in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Yeah, I’m that old. Traditions get better with time so let’s keep it. This is, by far, my favorite game of the year and is always the most fun, win or lose. Don’t mess up a good thing, don’t fix something that isn’t broken, etc., etc.