Breaking: Several sources claim that Miami and Florida are completing an arrangement to play a neutral site game in Jacksonville this season.
In what could be one of the most compelling surprises of the 2025 college football season, multiple sources close to the situation are reporting that the University of Miami and the University of Florida are finalizing an agreement to play a neutral-site game in Jacksonville later this year. If confirmed, the deal would mark a significant shift in the traditional scheduling philosophies of both programs, and inject even more intrigue into a rivalry that has been dormant on the annual calendar for too long.
Though nothing has been officially announced by either school or by the City of Jacksonville, the buzz has rapidly spread across sports media, suggesting that a marquee matchup at EverBank Stadium could soon become reality.
Miami and Florida, two of the most storied programs in college football history, have a rivalry that stretches back nearly a century. Despite residing in the same state and sharing rich football traditions, the teams have played each other only intermittently since the early 2000s, largely due to scheduling conflicts and differing conference affiliations.
The Gators, of course, compete in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), while the Hurricanes are stalwarts of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). This means that apart from occasional non-conference matchups, the two programs don’t cross paths frequently — much to the dismay of fans and alumni on both sides.
Their last meeting came in 2019, a Week 0 matchup in Orlando that saw Florida edge Miami 24-20 in a hard-fought, nationally televised contest. That game was also held at a neutral site, and it drew high television ratings, indicating strong public interest in reviving the rivalry in a more consistent or creative format.
Jacksonville has long played host to the annual Florida-Georgia game — often dubbed “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” — and has proven to be a successful neutral-site location due to its central proximity, historical relevance, and enthusiastic fan base. With the Florida-Georgia series already committed to staying in Jacksonville through 2025, the infrastructure and stadium availability are in place to support another major college football showdown.
Moreover, sources suggest that Jacksonville city officials and tourism representatives have been eager to bring additional high-profile college football games to the region. Hosting a Miami-Florida clash would represent not only a boon for local businesses but also a strategic test of Jacksonville’s viability as a broader neutral-site destination for college football.
If the city can successfully pull off two massive rivalry games in one season, Jacksonville may solidify its place on the map alongside Arlington, Atlanta, and Las Vegas as a go-to venue for college football spectacles.
While final details are still being ironed out, the sources claim that both athletic departments have agreed in principle to move a scheduled 2025 home-and-home matchup to a single neutral-site contest in Jacksonville. Originally, the Gators were set to travel to Miami this fall, with the Hurricanes returning the favor in 2026. However, shifting conference schedules, television incentives, and stadium renovation timelines may have prompted a reevaluation.
“Nothing is official yet, but both sides are very close,” one source familiar with the negotiations said. “Jacksonville checks all the boxes — it’s accessible, historic, and financially viable for both programs. This could be a win-win.”
Both schools are reportedly working closely with ESPN and the College Football Playoff committee to ensure that the timing and format of the game align with national interest and postseason considerations.
