SEC Approves 9-game Convention Schedule Starting in 2026, Becoming a member of Massive Ten and Massive 12

The Southeastern Convention is shifting to a nine-game convention schedule starting in 2026, ending a years-long debate and probably easing a path towards one other growth of the Faculty Soccer Playoff.

The change was accredited by convention presidents and chancellors on Thursday. It beforehand had been advisable by league athletic administrators.

“Including a ninth SEC recreation underscores our universities’ dedication to delivering essentially the most aggressive soccer schedule within the nation,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey stated. “This format protects rivalries, will increase aggressive steadiness, and paired with our requirement to play an extra Energy opponent, ensures SEC groups are properly ready to compete and succeed within the Faculty Soccer Playoff.”

The SEC has performed eight convention video games every season since 1992 when the convention expanded to 12 groups with the addition of Arkansas and South Carolina. The Atlantic Coast Convention nonetheless performs eight league video games. The Massive 12 and the Massive Ten already play 9.

Below the SEC’s new format:

— The league will proceed with a single-standings, non-divisional construction;

— Every faculty will play three annual opponents targeted on sustaining many conventional rivalries;

— Every group’s remaining six video games will rotate among the many remaining convention faculties; and

— Every group will face each different SEC program at the least as soon as each two years and each opponent residence and away in 4 years.

SEC groups are required to schedule at the least one further non-conference recreation in opposition to a group from the Atlantic Coast, Massive Ten or Massive 12 conferences — or Notre Dame.

“The SEC has established itself because the chief in delivering essentially the most compelling soccer schedule in faculty athletics,” Sankey stated. “Followers will see conventional rivalries preserved, new matchups extra steadily, and a stage of competitors unmatched throughout the nation.”

Reporting by The Related Press. 

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