SEC Football Championship Game to conclude historic 35-year run as College Football Playoff expands
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (November 9, 2026) - The Southeastern Conference announced today that the 2026 SEC Football Championship Game will be the final edition of the event. The decision coincides with the College Football Playoff’s expansion to a 24-team format.
The 2026 SEC Football Championship Game, to be played on December 5 in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, will be the 35th edition of the game that began in 1992.
“The SEC Football Championship Game has been a defining event in college football for more than three decades, producing unforgettable moments and crowning legendary champions,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “What began with the vision and leadership of Commissioner Roy Kramer in 1992 helped reshape the landscape of college football and established a tradition that has endured for 35 years. As the sport evolves with an expanded College Football Playoff, we look forward to celebrating the remarkable legacy of this event with its 35th and final edition and recognizing the city of Atlanta, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and AMB Sports and Entertainment, and the many partners who have contributed to its success.”
Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum, who also is CFP Board of Managers Chairman, said: “Today marks a historic milestone in intercollegiate athletics as the College Football Playoff expands to 24 teams. I applaud our commissioners who serve on the CFP Management Committee and my fellow presidents and chancellors on the Board of Managers for their commitment to the continued success of college football. This expansion serves the best interests of our student-athletes, colleges and universities, and passionate fans.”
The SEC Championship Game debuted on December 5, 1992, at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, as Alabama defeated Florida, 28-21. After a second edition at Legion Field in 1993, the game moved to Atlanta in 1994 and became a fixture at the Georgia Dome. The Georgia Dome hosted 23 consecutive SEC Championship Games from 1994 through 2016 before the event transitioned to its current home at Mercedes-Benz Stadium beginning in 2017. The game's history spans three iconic venues and two host cities, each contributing to its enduring legacy.
Over the 34 previous editions, the game has featured some of the most compelling matchups in conference history, drawing capacity crowds and helping launch 14 SEC teams to a national championship. With the shift to a 24-team playoff structure, the 2026 contest will mark the end of an era for the event that helped pioneer the modern conference championship format.