Since Kirby Smart took over the Georgia Bulldogs in 2016, ESPN's College GameDay has traveled to Athens a total of six times. While this does not include the multiple Georgia games the crew traveled to for away and neutral site games, it is a testament to Georgia's challenging schedule as well as how good they have been in recent years.
To kick off 2026, many expected the crew to select Athens as its destination in week four when the Bulldogs host the Oklahoma Sooners. However, after Oklahoma's upset loss to Michigan it might be a while before Athens gets to host GameDay again.
In fact, there is a realistic chance that they miss out on hosting the show for the entire year.
Georgia probably won’t host College GameDay in 2026
When preseason rankings came out Oklahoma vs Georgia was a top 10 matchup. Both teams were expected to be undefeated going into the game with two quarterbacks capable of winning the Heisman trophy and stout defenses. However, now that game looks like it will be a top two team facing off against another that is just inside the top 25 after Oklahoma’s loss to Michigan.
Meanwhile, Knoxville will be hosting what might be a top 10 game when the Texas Longhorns play Tennessee in week four. Not only that, but Baton Rouge could get yet another GameDay selection when the Tigers play host to Texas A&M.
Oklahoma-Georgia was set up to be a remarkable stage for GameDay. The game is going to be an evening kickoff on ESPN against two teams that have not met since the legendary Rose Bowl in 2017 that sent the Bulldogs to their first National Championship game appearance in nearly 40 years. Now, that game looks like it will be overshadowed in the national media spotlight of games predicted to be closer in contest with higher implications.
While it would be disappointing to see Athens miss out on hosting GameDay this season, Georgia could still play in a game where College GameDay is present at least twice this season. Georgia travels to Tuscaloosa to play Alabama in an SEC Championship rematch in week six and to Oxford for a Sugar Bowl rematch against Ole Miss week ten. If Georgia runs the table like they are expected to this season they could get even more recognition from the crew in the conference title game as well as playoff games in the future.
Whether GameDay visits Athens this year or not, Georgia will have plenty of intense and exciting games to play this season.
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