Florida football’s home-and-home with Cal Golden Bears nixed

The Florida-Cal series could be the first of the Gators’ non-conference slate to get the axe as the SEC eyes a 9-game schedule.

Florida football’s scheduled home-and-home series with the California Golden Bears set for 2026 and 2027 was canceled on Wednesday, Action Network’s Brett McMurphy first reported.

Originally announced in February 2020 — merely a month before the COVID pandemic began shutting down sports — the first of the two non-conference games was slated to take place at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 19, 2026. The Gators would then travel out to Berkeley, California, on Sept. 4, 2027.

The change of plans is likely due to massive changes in the collegiate football landscape over the past few years, including the rash conference realignments that have occurred. With the Southeastern Conference pondering an expansion of its league schedule, non-conference such as this one could be on the chopping block in the coming seasons.

Florida’s remaining non-conference opponents

2024: vs Miami, vs Samford, at Florida State

2025: vs South Florida, at Miami, vs FAMU, vs Florida State

2026: at N.C. State, vs Campbell, at Florida State

2027: vs Florida State

2028: vs Colorado, at Arizona State, at Florida State

2029: at Colorado, Florida State

2030: at UCF, at Florida State

2031: vs Arizona State, at Notre Dame, Florida State

2032: Notre Dame, N.C. State, at Florida State

2033: vs UCF, Florida State

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