Full Breakdown
Clemson and Georgia Cancel Future Home-and-Home Football Series
By Drooid · · How we work
Cancellation of Planned 2029-2033 Matchups
Clemson University’s Tigers and the University of Georgia’s Bulldogs have mutually agreed to cancel the four non-conference games that were scheduled for the 2029, 2030, 2032 and 2033 seasons. The decision, first reported by the *Athens Banner-Herald*’s Marc Weiszer, stems from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) adopting a nine-game conference schedule. Because each league now requires nine conference contests, both programs concluded that the previously arranged home-and-home series could no longer be accommodated.
Background: Conference Scheduling Shifts
The ACC and SEC began implementing a “nine-plus-one” model at the start of the current season, increasing each team’s conference slate by one game. The change leaves the ACC with an odd number of football-playing members, meaning one ACC school (Clemson) will continue to play only eight conference games in 2027. The SEC’s shift similarly forces Georgia to schedule nine conference games each year, in addition to its traditional rivalry with Georgia Tech. These scheduling pressures have already prompted other schools—such as North Carolina vs. South Carolina and Alabama vs. Oklahoma State—to terminate similar home-and-home agreements.
Series History and Statistics
- All-time meetings: 66 contests.
- Series record: Georgia leads 44-18-4.
- Recent dominance: Georgia has won eight of the last nine meetings, including a 34-3 victory in 2024.
- The last on-campus games were played in Athens in 2014 and at Clemson in 2013; subsequent meetings (2021, 2024) were held at neutral venues.
Official Responses from Athletic Departments
Clemson athletic director Graham Neff and Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks have indicated interest in exploring a neutral-site arrangement at a later date, though no concrete schedule has been set. Both administrators emphasized that the cancellation reflects the broader conference-level scheduling reforms rather than any deterioration in the schools’ relationship.
Impact on Fans and Rivalry Landscape
Observers note that the loss of the series removes a high-profile non-conference rivalry that historically drew significant regional interest, especially given the schools’ proximity (approximately 75 miles). Fans of both programs are expected to miss the additional marquee matchup, which had been viewed as a complement to each team’s primary conference obligations and existing in-state rivalries (Georgia vs. Georgia Tech; Clemson vs. South Carolina).
What’s Next
While the 2029-2033 home-and-home series will not occur, both schools remain open to scheduling a neutral-site contest in the future, contingent on the evolving conference calendars. Clemson’s upcoming non-conference commitments include a 12-game series with Notre Dame beginning in 2027, and the annual Palmetto Bowl against South Carolina, suggesting limited flexibility for additional marquee games. Georgia’s schedule will now feature ten Power-Five opponents each season, including its rivalry with Georgia Tech.