Georgia's kickoff date vs Georgia Tech is exactly what fans want to see

After two years of being played on Black Friday, one of college football’s best rivalries seems like it’s moving back to Saturday.

During this week's Disney Upfront presentation, ESPN revealed the dates and times of several prominent games on the network’s college football calendar for the 2026 season. It appeared to have some ramifications for Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate as multiple games were listed on Black Friday, and Georgia's annual matchup with Georgia Tech was not listed.

Georgia football vs Georgia Tech game confirmed to be back on Saturdays

ESPN an ABC announced its slate for Black Friday and Thanksgiving Day, and it included three games featuring SEC teams, none of which were the Georgia Bulldogs.

While that doesn’t make anything official just yet, it sure seems to suggest the Georgia vs. Georgia Tech game will no longer be on Black Friday like it has the past two seasons. The 2026  edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate is currently scheduled to be played at Georgia’s Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 28.

The annual rivalry game was moved to Black Friday in Athens in 2024 to cash in on a prime time slot without having to compete with any other pesky football games. Television executives wouldn’t have needed to worry anyway, as Georgia’s wild 44-42 eight-overtime win became one of the most memorable college football regular-season matchups of that season.

Last year's game was originally scheduled to take place on a Saturday at Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium in 2025, before being moved back to Friday that January. The Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets had only ever played on a Friday once before in 1994 before the last two years.

Last year Georgia Tech accepted $10 million to give up their home game against Georgia and move the matchup to Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Bulldogs won that game 16-9 in a considerably less explosive outing for both teams, but seeing another game on a Friday left fans wanting the matchup to go back to the more traditional Saturday.

The two Black Friday games were an interesting chapter in a storied rivalry, and some fans may be sad to see it moved back to Saturday. The larger majority though who clamor for tradition in college football will likely be relieved to see this game go back to Saturday.

Georgia vs Georgia Tech moving back to Saturday is what's best for fans

It’s not officially confirmed yet, but it does seem highly likely the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets will be playing November 28 in Athens this year. Kickoff times and TV designations will be announced closer to or during the season, but at this point there isn't any room left on Thanksgiving or Black Friday for this game.

Fans should rejoice that this matchup will more than likely be on Saturday this year. Now they can go about whatever family traditions they have on the holidays and not have to worry about changing traditions to watch this football game.

Instead they can plan to watch Georgia's regular season finale on a Saturday which is exactly when it should've been this entire time.

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