The Florida Gators has informed Graham Mertz that he is not permitted to work in any capacity for…

The Georgia Bulldogs and Florida Gators declared on Wednesday that they had exercised their right to hold their yearly rivalry game in Jacksonville in 2024 and 2025.

The option to continue the rivalry game in the neutral site for the next two seasons was included in the most recent game deal, which guaranteed the clash in Jacksonville through the 2023 season. However, notice of the extension had to be given to the City of Jacksonville by June 30, 2023. This week, the schools are formally informing the city.

Florida Athletics Director Scott Stricklin stated, “The City of Jacksonville has been a historic host for one of the great rivalry games in all of college football.” “We are excited to have the game in Jacksonville for another two seasons.”

“We are pleased with the decision to exercise the option that will keep the game in Jacksonville for 2024 and 2025,” said UGA J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks.  “We look forward to discussions that I’m sure will continue over the next couple years exploring all the options for 2026 and beyond. We continue to be appreciative of the working relationship we have with the University of Florida and the City of Jacksonville.”

“Jacksonville has been the proud home of the Georgia-Florida game since 1933,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said. “We are excited to welcome back the thousands of Dawgs and Gators to Jacksonville in 2024 and 2025. I want to thank the University of Georgia and University of Florida for their continued faith and investment in our city.”

A staple October tradition, the Florida-Georgia game has been played in Jacksonville since 1933 with the exception of the 1994 and 1995 seasons during the construction of TIAA Bank Field. The Gators and the Bulldogs are currently slated to meet on Oct. 28 for this year’s matchup.