Overview

• Conference presidents and chancellors approved the change after a recommendation from SEC athletic directors.
• The SEC will remain divisionless under a model with three protected annual opponents and six rotating games, ensuring every matchup at least once every two years and home-and-home within four.
• Schools must also schedule at least one additional nonconference opponent from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 or Notre Dame each season.
• The decision brings the SEC in line with the Big Ten and Big 12 and was influenced by playoff metrics; reports say ESPN signaled higher rights fees for a ninth league game.
• Most programs have 2026 nonconference openings to accommodate the shift, though some contracts may need adjustment, and annual rivalries such as Texas–Texas A&M are expected to be preserved.