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UVA and Vandy Football Set for 2028 Showdown
20 Jun
Summary
- Virginia and Vanderbilt will play a two-game football series starting in 2028.
- Both teams achieved historic success in the 2025 football season.
- The series marks Vanderbilt's first trip to Charlottesville since 2002.
Virginia and Vanderbilt will engage in a two-game football series, with the first contest scheduled for September 16, 2028, at Vanderbilt's FirstBank Stadium. The Cavaliers will host the Commodores in Charlottesville in 2031. This upcoming series will be the first time Vanderbilt, an SEC member, plays in Charlottesville since 2002.
The 2025 football season proved to be a landmark year for both programs. Virginia achieved a school-record 11 wins, securing the ACC regular-season championship and winning the Gator Bowl. Concurrently, Vanderbilt, under coach Clark Lea, recorded a program-best 10 victories, reaching the ReliaQuest Bowl after a decade without a winning season. Senior quarterback Diego Pavia achieved significant recognition, finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up.
Coach Lea has been instrumental in Vanderbilt's resurgence, transforming the team from a 0-9 record in 2020 to consistent success. Similarly, Tony Elliott has rebuilt the Virginia program. The series adds an intriguing non-conference matchup for Virginia, whose 2028 schedule also includes games against Richmond and James Madison University.
