SEC Football Championship Ends After 35 Years
The final game is scheduled for December 5 in Atlanta as the College Football Playoff expands to 24 teams.
By Aiko Nakamura ·
The Southeastern Conference will play its final football championship game on December 5, 2026. The event will conclude a 35 year run that began in 1992. The decision follows the expansion of the College Football Playoff to a 24 team format.
The last contest is set for Saturday, December 5, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This marks the end of a tradition that has defined the conference for over three decades. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey noted that the game has produced legendary champions and unforgettable moments. He said the conference looks forward to celebrating the event's legacy in its final edition.
The championship game originated in Birmingham, Alabama. The first matchup took place on December 5, 1992, at Legion Field. In that historic opener, Alabama defeated Florida 28 to 21. Alabama went on to win the national championship that season under head coach Gene Stallings. Legion Field hosted the first two games in 1992 and 1993 before the event moved to Atlanta in 1994.
The Georgia Dome hosted 23 consecutive games from 1994 through 2016. The venue then shifted to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017. The game was originally conceived by former SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer. His vision created a model that other major conferences across the country eventually adopted. Over the past 34 editions, the game has helped propel 14 conference teams to national championships.
Florida has the second most appearances in the history of the event. The Gators played in 13 championship games and won seven conference titles. Their record in the event stands at 7 and 6. Alabama leads the all time list with 11 titles. Under head coach Steve Spurrier, Florida dominated the early years of the competition. The Gators appeared in the first five games from 1992 through 1996. They won four consecutive titles from 1993 through 1996.
The most recent Florida victory occurred in 2008. Quarterback Tim Tebow led the team to a 31 to 20 win over Alabama. The Gators last appeared in the championship game in 2020. They lost that contest to Alabama by a score of 52 to 46. The SEC stated that the traditional conference championship game will no longer be part of its football calendar after this season.
Sankey acknowledged the evolution of the sport through the expanded playoff. He specifically recognized the city of Atlanta, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and AMB Sports and Entertainment. He also credited the many partners who contributed to the event's success. The final game will serve as the closing chapter for a series that has consistently drawn capacity crowds and featured some of college football's most memorable matchups.
