One of college football’s most celebrated in-state rivalries will take center stage in Manatee County this Thanksgiving weekend as the University of Florida Gators and Florida State University Seminoles prepare for their annual showdown. While the teams battle on the field in Tallahassee, fans from both sides will have an opportunity to come together in Palmetto for a special event celebrating football, community pride and local athletic history.
The Gators and Seminoles are scheduled to meet on Friday, November 27, 2026, at 3:30 p.m., at Doak S. Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC, marking the first regular-season Friday game for Florida since the two teams met the day after Thanksgiving in 2022.
The rivalry dates back to November 22, 1958, when Florida defeated Florida State 21-7 in Gainesville. Since then, the annual matchup has become a defining tradition in Florida college football, bringing together generations of alumni, students and fans whose loyalties are divided between the orange and blue of the Gators and the garnet and gold of the Seminoles.
Over the decades, the rivalry has featured nationally ranked teams, memorable finishes and games with championship implications. Although the universities compete in different conferences, with Florida representing the Southeastern Conference and Florida State competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference, their annual meeting remains one of the most anticipated games on both schedules.
The 2026 matchup will add another chapter to that history, with Florida State hosting the Gators for the regular-season finale. The Seminoles have won both previous Friday meetings between the programs, in 1979 and 2022.
Manatee County’s Connection to the Rivalry
This year’s game will have a special connection to Manatee County through Legacy Weekend, a community celebration organized by former Southeast High School football standouts Adrian McPherson and Reggie Davis.
McPherson, who went on to play football at Florida State before pursuing a professional career, and Davis, who played at the University of Florida, represent the two sides of the rivalry. Their shared Manatee County roots provide the foundation for an event designed to bring competing fan bases together while supporting opportunities for local youth.
The Legacy Weekend Tailgate and Watch Party will take place Friday, November 27, at Sutton Park in Palmetto, beginning at 2 p.m., ahead of the 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
The event will feature a large-screen broadcast of the game, food and beverages, opportunities for fans to cheer on their favorite teams, and a dedicated fan zone. Plans also include opportunities to meet former football players.
Organizers hope the celebration will attract football fans from throughout Southwest Florida while highlighting Manatee County’s athletic heritage and creating a new Thanksgiving weekend tradition.
Football Celebration Supports Local Youth
Beyond the competition on the field, Legacy Weekend will support RI5E Leadership & Sports Academy, a nonprofit founded by McPherson that focuses on helping young people develop through education, athletics and leadership opportunities.
The organization works to expand access to programs that prepare students for success beyond sports, including mentorship, scholarships, college exposure, financial literacy, workforce development and technology resources.
The event also has the potential to benefit the local economy by attracting visitors to Palmetto and surrounding communities during the holiday weekend.
For Manatee County residents, the celebration offers an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of local athletes who advanced from high school football to major college programs while helping create similar opportunities for the next generation.
The Legacy Weekend Tailgate and Watch Party begins at 2 p.m. Friday, November 27, at Sutton Park in Palmetto. Tickets and additional event information are available through the official Legacy Weekend website, TheLegacyWeekend.net.
Whether cheering for the Gators or the Seminoles, fans will have an opportunity to experience one of Florida’s greatest football traditions while supporting a cause that extends well beyond the final score.
Official game information: Florida Gators Athletics | Florida State Athletics
Event information: Legacy Weekend