The Georgia Bulldogs will face the Oregon Ducks in the 2022 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, the Peach Bowl, Inc. officially announced on Tuesday.
“We’re thrilled to be able to bring together two historic programs for the first time in more than four decades,” said Bob Somers, Peach Bowl, Inc. chairman. “The Ducks and Bulldogs will be the focal point of unrivaled opening weekend celebration in the capital of college football.”
The game is set for Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
In their first and only meeting on the gridiron back in 1977, the Bulldogs defeated the Ducks 27-16 in at Sanford Stadium in Athens. The two schools were scheduled to meet in a home-and-home series in 2015 and 2016, but the series was later canceled.
“Thanks to the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game staff for their efforts in putting this game together,” said UGA Head Coach Kirby Smart. “Opening the season in Atlanta against a Power 5 opponent is a tremendous opportunity for our team and provides a great start to the season for our fans. The first game of the season is always important and this matchup on a national stage will be a test for both teams.”
The Georgia Bulldogs have made two appearances in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. Georgia fell to Boise State 35-21 in 2011 and defeated North Carolina 33-24 in 2016. Georgia is also scheduled to take on the Virginia Cavaliers in the 2020 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game on Monday, Sept. 7.
“It’s a great honor for our program to open the 2022 season in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game and to play a great program like Georgia,” said Oregon Head Coach Mario Cristobal. “As we continue to grow this program we want to challenge ourselves against the best competition. I’m also extremely excited for our fans to make the trip to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and put their passion for the Ducks on full display.”
The 2020 game against Georgia will mark Oregon’s first appearance in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.
Oregon was scheduled to open the 2022 season at home against Eastern Washington, but pushed the game back one week to Saturday, Sept. 10. Oregon also hosts BYU on Sept. 17.
Georgia now has three non-conference games scheduled for the 2022 season. The Bulldogs are scheduled to host Kent State on Sept. 24 and in-state rival Georgia Tech on Nov. 26.
Future Chick-fil-A Kickoff Games
2018 – Washington vs. Auburn (Sat., Sept. 1)
2019 – Alabama vs. Duke (Sat., Aug. 31)
2020 – West Virginia vs. Florida State (Sat., Sept. 5)
2020 – Georgia vs. Virginia (Mon., Sept. 7)
2020 – North Carolina vs. Auburn (Sat., Sept. 12)
2021 – Louisville vs. Ole Miss (Aug. 28 or Sept. 4-5)
2021 – Alabama vs. Miami, FL (Aug. 28 or Sept. 4-6)
Football Schedules