The University of Georgia and Clemson University have formally ended plans for a four-game, home-and-home football series that had been scheduled to run from 2029 through 2033, according to a termination document signed by both schools' athletic directors.
Agreement details and schedule
Per the termination document signed March 12 by Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks and Clemson athletic director Graham Neff, the parties "mutually agreed to cancel" the remaining games in the series and released each other from the contracts and payment obligations contained therein.
"the parties have mutually agreed to terminate the Contracts and all of the provisions of those contracts, including payment requirements."
The four games that were removed from future calendars were:
| Original date | Site |
|---|---|
| Sept. 15, 2029 | Memorial Stadium, Clemson |
| Aug. 31, 2030 | Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium, Athens |
| Sept. 4, 2032 | Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium, Athens |
| Sept. 3, 2033 | Memorial Stadium, Clemson |
Contract provisions and financial notes
Records from the original agreements, finalized in 2018 and 2019, showed liquidated-damage provisions tied to cancellations. Those provisions ranged from $1 million per game for cancellations made at least 24 months before a scheduled game up to $1.5 million for cancellations within 12 months of the date. The termination document indicates the schools agreed to end the contracts and their payment requirements, effectively sidestepping those liquidated-damage payments.
Why the series was canceled
The move comes amid broader changes to college football scheduling. Since the contracts were finalized, both the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Southeastern Conference have shifted to nine-game conference slates. That change has caused member programs to reassess nonconference commitments and reshape future schedules.
For Clemson specifically, the program has been reshuffling nonconference opponents and recently finalized a 12-game home-and-home series with Notre Dame, in addition to maintaining its annual rivalry game against South Carolina and an eight-game ACC schedule. Georgia also has been adjusting its long-term nonconference plans in light of the conference scheduling changes.
What this means for fans and future scheduling
The cancellation removes two marquee neutral-site matchups that would have paired the two programs across prime dates in late summer and early fall of the next decade. Fans and ticket holders will likely watch for announcements from each school's athletic department about replacement nonconference opponents or schedule reshuffling.
- Timing: The earliest scheduled game was Sept. 15, 2029; the latest was Sept. 3, 2033.
- Financials: Previously agreed liquidated damages ranged from $1 million to $1.5 million per game depending on cancellation timing.
- Reason: Conference schedule changes and subsequent nonconference re-evaluations prompted the mutual decision.
Both schools have been active in reshaping future slates. Clemson's newly arranged series with Notre Dame and its continued in-conference obligations were cited as part of its scheduling context. Georgia's long-term plans were not detailed in the termination document beyond the mutual cancellation.
Next steps
Neither school included additional commentary in the termination filing. Athletic departments typically release further statements or update fan-facing schedules through official channels; season-ticket holders and prospective attendees should monitor announcements from the University of Georgia and Clemson University for any replacement games or schedule adjustments.
Canceling a high-profile nonconference series several years in advance is uncommon but reflects shifting priorities in college football scheduling and contract flexibility as conferences modify the number of required league games. The termination clears the way for both programs to pursue different nonconference alignments that better match their revised calendars.
Further developments, including whether either school will announce replacement opponents or renegotiate other marquee nonconference matchups, will be reported as information becomes available.
