Florida Cancels 2031-32 Home-and-Home Series With Notre Dame

Florida has canceled its home-and-home football series with Notre Dame that was scheduled for the 2031 and 2032 seasons, The Associated Press reported Tuesday.

The Gators used a clause in the contract to get out of the series without a financial penalty, according to the AP. The Gainesville Sun, citing a source, confirmed the cancellation and reported that the clause allowed Florida to end the deal if the Southeastern Conference moved to a nine-game league schedule. The SEC began playing nine conference games this season.

The schools announced the series on Feb. 9, 2021. Florida was scheduled to play at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, on Nov. 15, 2031, and to host the Fighting Irish at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 11, 2032.

The games would have been the first regular-season meetings between the programs. Their only meeting came in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 1992, a 39-28 Notre Dame win.

Notre Dame adds Washington

Notre Dame announced Tuesday a home-and-home series with Washington. The Irish will host the Huskies on Sept. 27, 2031, and play at Washington on Nov. 11, 2034.

What it means for Florida's schedule

Florida plays nine SEC games and Florida State each season, which gives the Gators 10 power-conference opponents before any other nonconference game is added. The Gainesville Sun reported that the College Football Playoff, which is expanding to 24 teams in 2027, will expect Power Four schools to play at least 10 games against conference opponents, other Power Four teams or Notre Dame, a standard Florida meets with its SEC schedule and the Florida State game.

The Sun also reported that Florida has recently canceled home-and-home series with Arizona State, California and NC State, and that a series with Colorado in 2028 and 2029 remains on the schedule.

Florida (5-4, 3-4 SEC) plays at Kentucky, No. 13 in the AP poll, on Saturday. Kickoff at Kroger Field is set for 6:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Photo courtesy UAA (University Athletic Association, FloridaGators.com) and Emma Brugna. See the official Florida Gators photo galleries at FloridaGators.com.