One storied border rivalry is officially set to be renewed.
Following up on talk that circulated earlier this month, it was confirmed Friday morning that Clemson and Georgia will open the 2024 season in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. The two teams will square off Aug. 31 of that year in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The two football programs, whose campuses are separated by 80-some miles, have met 64 times previously, the first coming in 1897 and the most recent in 2014. The Bulldogs own a sizable 42-18-4 edge in the series.
“I’ve said many times that I think the Clemson-Georgia rivalry is one of the best rivalries in college football,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said in a statement. “It’s one I watched way before I even came to Clemson. I think it’s great for both fan bases. It will be one of those games that everybody will enjoy. Obviously it’s a tough opener for both teams, but it’s fun to be a part of games like that.”
“Many of the players on both teams know each other and the proximity of the two schools makes it especially competitive,” Swinney’s UGA counterpart, Kirby Smart, said in his statement. “This is another great opportunity for our team and our fans to play an outstanding team in an extraordinary city and venue. We are appreciative of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game staff for their hard work in putting the game together.”
Both teams have appeared in two previous Chick-fil-A matchups apiece. The Tigers’ two appearances came in 2008, the first year of the kickoff series, and 2012, while the Bulldogs played in the 2011 and 2016 games.
Georgia also has two other future Chick-fil-A games on its schedule -- against Virginia in 2020, Oregon in 2022.