Look, if you’re trying to pin down the exact Texas versus Georgia game time, you’ve probably realized that college football scheduling is a bit of a moving target. It's not like the old days where every big game kicked off at 1:00 PM. Now, we’re at the mercy of network executives and "flex" windows.
Honestly, the most recent clash between these two powerhouses—back on November 15, 2025—had fans glued to their seats at 7:30 PM ET. It was a primetime slot on ABC, and the atmosphere in Athens was electric. But if you're looking forward to the 2026 season and beyond, things get a little more complicated.
The Reality of the SEC Schedule
The SEC recently dropped a bombshell by moving to a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2026. This is a massive shift. For years, the "eight-game versus nine-game" debate raged in boardroom meetings. Basically, the move to nine games means these massive matchups like Texas and Georgia are going to happen way more often.
For the 2026 season, the schedule is already set in terms of opponents, even if the clocks aren't. Texas and Georgia aren't actually scheduled to face each other in the 2026 regular season. I know, it's a bummer. After playing three times in just over a year (twice in 2024 and once in 2025), the schedule makers are giving them a breather.
However, don't delete your reminders just yet. Because the SEC eliminated divisions, the top two teams in the standings head to Atlanta for the SEC Championship. Given the recruiting hauls Steve Sarkisian and Kirby Smart have been pulling in, there's a very high probability we see a postseason rematch.
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Why the Kickoff Time Shifts So Much
Ever wonder why you sometimes don't know a game time until six days before kickoff? It’s basically all about the "selection windows."
- The 12-Day Window: Most of the time, networks like ABC/ESPN and SEC Network wait until 12 days before the game to announce the slot.
- The 6-Day Window: If there are a few big games that could all be "Game of the Week" material, the networks hold onto the rights until the Sunday before the game.
- Television Tiers: Primetime (7:30 PM ET) is the crown jewel. The afternoon slot (3:30 PM ET) is usually the second-best, followed by the "nooner."
Looking Back to Move Forward
To understand the hype around the Texas versus Georgia game time, you have to look at what happened in late 2024 and 2025. Georgia really had the Longhorns' number. In 2024, they met in the regular season in Austin where Georgia took care of business 30-15. Then, they met again in the SEC Championship on December 7, 2024.
That championship game was wild. It went to overtime! Gunner Stockton had to step in for an injured Carson Beck and led the Bulldogs to a 22-19 victory. If you were looking for that game time, it was a 4:00 PM ET kickoff.
Then came the 2025 rematch in Athens.
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Georgia won that one comfortably, 35-10. It was a 7:30 PM ET start. Notice a pattern? The biggest games between these two almost always land in the evening or late afternoon. Networks aren't going to waste a matchup of this caliber on an 11:00 AM local kickoff unless they absolutely have to.
The 2027 and 2029 Outlook
If you're a planner—sorta like me—you'll want to mark 2027 on your calendar. The Bulldogs are scheduled to make the trip back to Austin that year. This will be the first time Georgia fans get to experience a "SEC version" of Austin, which is a whole different beast than a non-conference trip.
Then in 2029, the Longhorns return the favor and head back to Sanford Stadium. The SEC is trying to ensure that every player who stays four years plays at every stadium in the conference. It's a cool concept, but it means the "traditional" rivalries are getting mixed in with these new "super-matchups."
Managing the Game Day Experience
If you're actually going to one of these games, the "game time" is only half the battle.
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In Austin, the "Bevo Blvd" festivities usually start about four to five hours before kickoff. If it’s a 6:30 PM CT game, you want to be down by the stadium by 2:00 PM. In Athens, the "Dawg Walk" at Sanford Stadium typically happens two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff.
Don't be the person who shows up right as the national anthem starts. You'll miss the best parts.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Check the "Flex" Schedule: Usually, in the summer, the SEC will announce which games are "Early," "Afternoon," or "Night." They won't give a specific hour, but they’ll give you a window.
- Download the Team Apps: Both the Georgia Bulldogs and Texas Longhorns official apps send push notifications the second a game time is finalized.
- Book Travel for "All Day": If you're flying in, never book a flight out on Saturday night. Between potential overtime and traffic, you’ll never make it.
- Monitor the SEC Championship Standings: Since they don't play in the 2026 regular season, your only chance to see them face off is in Atlanta in December. Watch the standings starting in October.
The rivalry is still young in the context of the SEC, but it’s already becoming one of the most physical games on the calendar. Whether it's a 3:30 PM or a 7:30 PM start, the Texas versus Georgia game time is always going to be "appointment viewing" for anyone who cares about high-level college football.