JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One of the most memorable parts of the Florida vs. Georgia football tradition is the tailgating.
Pockets of Gators and ‘Dawgs fans mix together on neutral ground (semi-neutral if you ask some Georgia fans) and celebrate side-by-side.
The most clear-cut example of that unusual fan experience is the annual RV City, which opens at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
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The RV trip to Jacksonville is an annual affair for many fans, and spots are already sold out. That’s why a line of RVs has been waiting to get into the lot for days.
Entrance is on a first-come, first-served basis, and spots are assigned once campers enter the lot. That means a Georgia fan could end up parked between two Florida fans — or vice versa.
That arrangement has made both RV City, and the parking lots on gameday, an iconic experience as fans enjoy their tailgating time next to their rivals — and often try to outdo each other with decorations, cooking and more.
If you’re camping out in RV City this week, here are a few rules to keep in mind:
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There are no electric or water hook-ups
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All camping vehicles, trailers, and RVs must be self-contained
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Saving spaces is not allowed
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All campers must exit RV City by noon Sunday
City leaders say they’re expecting big crowds for the game and are preparing accordingly.
“The biggest request that we can ask is that any fans attending the game, please be at the gates, ready to go, either shortly after the team walks at 1:30 or at 1:30 when gates do open,” said Mike Kenny, general manager of ASM Global, which manages EverBank Stadium. “There is a clear bag policy in effect, and we will also have metal detection screenings at the gate.”
History
This is Jacksonville’s 89th year hosting the rivalry game, which is one of the greatest traditions in college football.
This time around, the Gators are the home team, making it the “Florida-Georgia” game.
Georgia has won five of the last six meetings, including last year, and this year’s matchup is a bit uneven. The undefeated ‘Dawgs have had a remarkable run at No. 1 this season while Florida is unranked at 5-2.
The Gators are 22-11 vs. Georgia dating back to 1990, but the overall record between the teams depends on who you ask.
Georgia claims 55 total wins, counting one against Florida Agricultural College back in 1904.
Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at EverBank Stadium.
For more information about the 2023 Florida-Georgia week and football game, visit FLGAjax.com.
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