Florida Gators announce home game designations for 2025 season
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — After revealing the date for their homecoming game earlier this week, the University Athletic Association (UAA) announced Thursday the themes and designations for all home games. The Florida Gators will play in The Swamp six times this season.
Here are the half dozen home game designations for UF, courtesy of UAA communications:
Florida Gators home games in 2025
Aug. 30 | Long Island | 352 Community Day
The Gators welcome local organizations and community groups from throughout the greater North Central Florida region back to Gainesville. Special ticket offers will be available for this matchup. The season opener marks the first-ever meeting between UF and the Long Island Sharks.
Sept. 6 | South Florida | Championship Reunion Weekend presented by GFL Environmental
Each year, the UAA invites members of UF championship teams celebrating their 10-, 25-, and 50-year anniversaries to campus to be recognized and celebrated. The Gators hold a 3-0 all-time record against South Florida, with the most recent meeting taking place in 2022 in Gainesville.
Oct. 4 | Texas | Gatorade’s 60th Anniversary & UF Family Weekend presented by UF Health
The University of Florida will celebrate the 60th anniversary of Gatorade, invented on campus in 1965 by a team led by Dr. Robert Cade, a UF research scientist and professor. This milestone will be honored when the Gators host Texas at The Swamp — marking the Longhorns’ first trip to Gainesville in over 80 years (since Dec. 7, 1940). The matchup also coincides with UF Family Weekend, which features campus-wide events including lectures, performances and more leading up to kickoff.
Oct. 18 | Mississippi State | Homecoming, UF Athletic Hall of Fame & GatorMade Week presented by Renewal By Andersen
The Gators will host the Bulldogs for their annual Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 18. First celebrated in 1916, this UF tradition continues to unite Gator Nation each year. Campus festivities will include the Gator Growl pep rally, Gator Gallop, and other special events. Florida holds a 73-26-2 all-time record in Homecoming games, including a 31-5 mark since 1989. Mississippi State returns to Gainesville for the first time in 15 years, following a 45-28 Gator victory last season in Starkville.
The UAA will also induct seven Gator Greats and one Honorary Letterwinner into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame. The 2025 Gator Greats class includes:
- Theresa Andrews – Women’s Swimming & Diving (1981-83)
- Charlotte Browning- Track & Field/Cross Country (2008-10)
- Kitty Cullen – Lacrosse (2010-13)
- Marquis Dendy – Track & Field (2012-15)
- Lauren Haeger – Softball (2012-15)
- Kytra Hunter – Gymnastics (2012-15)
- Maurkice Pouncey – Football (2007-09)
The seven Gator Greats were part of 10 national and 16 conference title teams. They won a combined 16 NCAA and 28 SEC individual crowns. This year’s class includes a distinguish letterwinner is Phil Pharr – Football (1978-80).
Additionally, GatorMade Week will spotlight the GatorMade program — a player-led, purpose-driven initiative that empowers football scholar-athletes with opportunities to learn, serve and lead.
Nov. 22 | Tennessee | Saluting Those Who Serve presented by VyStar Credit Union
UF will honor members of the armed forces, veterans, and local first responders during Florida’s annual Saluting Those Who Serve game against Tennessee. For every ticket purchased, the UAA will donate a ticket to a local military hero — up to 2,000 tickets. The last home meeting between the two programs on Sept. 16, 2023, ended in a 29-16 Gator victory.
Nov. 29 | Florida State | Senior Day presented by Publix
The Gators will honor their senior class for their contributions to the program during pregame ceremonies. Last year’s matchup saw Florida defeat the Seminoles 31-11 in Tallahassee.
