You mean the Aggies will open at Mercer.

Listing the game as @ Mercer, but sounds like the contest will be at a neutral field.

I’ll ask tonight

Let us know what they say. Odd to see FCS neutral sites for non HBCUs.

Former UC Davis assistants on that staff.

it’s at the Senior Bowl in Mobile Alabama. It’s some special setup that puts us on ESPN when almost no other games are on.

ooooh, right on the gulf. That is going to be one steamy environment unless there is a breeze. Hurricane territory too. Seems to me there would be less attendance there than just playing it in Macon (Mercer’s home field). Travel for the “home” Mercer fans and Davis fans are not known to travel outside of Bay Area other than players parents and a few die hards. Added to that what I would consider not exactly a sexy destination location. I guess we will see.

Mike, have you heard if the Mercer and/or the Stetson games will be home and home games? Also, is the SMU game a for sure thing?

i believe that both the Mercer and Stetson' are one-off's.

Mercer us near Georgia Tech (1.5 hours away).

Edited.

I was really excited when I heard about the Mercer game, which is a doable drive from ATL (1.5 hrs). Mobile, not so much (5 hrs). I've lived in Atlanta since 2000 and this will be the closest game since my move.
FYI - GA Tech is in downtown Atlanta - about 1.5 hrs from Mercer (Macon).

Your comment reminds me that I honestly should see the Ags more often. EWU is only two hours from me and PSU just 5 hours away. Montana is technically 4 hours but I don't want to drive over the mountains.

I am usually lazy and only go to games at UI or WSU which are 1 hour away (and I go to the Palouse often on weekends so its basically home).

I think I'm making the Mobile trip --- only because I want to see the Gulf Coast, never have, and I can hit the Biloxi strip and gamble a bit, only an hour away. Heck, New Orleans is only 2 hours away which is where almost everybody will have to fly into I reckon.

So, is this legit? Or are we not going to finalize this tv deal to open the College Football season in Mobile next August?

I'll try to get some information when i go up for basketball on Wednesday.

Macon would be closer to my house but oh well. In addition to New Orleans you can also check flights into Northwest Florida Beaches airport, a smaller airport but does have Southwest. Biloxi casinos are nothing special. Depends on what you want to see in the gulf… New Orleans or the Redneck Riviera. Or just Waffle House after dark.

If you go to New Orleans, I’d highly recommend the fairly new WW II museum, although that sort of thing is not what most people go to New Orleans for. It is outstanding. However Jan./Feb. is a much better time to go - very hot and humid in the summer months.

FBSchedules.com: Mercer, UC Davis to play in 2025 FCS Kickoff

"As part of the agreement, Mercer will pay UC Davis a $25,000 guarantee for the game and ESPN will provide the Aggies with 400 complimentary tickets. The contest, which has not yet been officially announced by ESPN, can be moved to Macon, Ga., if it cannot be played in Montgomery."

https://fbschedules.com/mercer-uc-davis-to-play-in-2025-fcs-kickoff/#google_vignette

So Montgomery or Macon, not Mobile

Seems likely to be Montgomery as its been there for the last seven years.

Shorter trip than Mobile but I’m not overtly excited about mid/high 90s and humidity in either location.

Well great, now I gotta go see the in laws!!

Can’t believe we’re playing two football games in August :o

So this was found out even when (as of yet) unnanounced because of a California Public Records Act request -- which isn't too difficult as I understand it -- but I wonder how/why it was specifically uncovered. Do the FBS Schedules beat writers just make regular public records requests to the public university systems in states that have those kinds of laws?

I assume the Macon, GA location is in case of gulf hurricanes in August?

That would be more applicable for Mobile - Montgomery is about 140 miles from the Gulf.

Stream of consciousness post, here we go….

Heads up to those thinking about traveling to this game - Montgomery is a little over a 2-hour drive from ATL (depending on Atlanta traffic of course), 4 hours from BNA/Nashville, or 2.5 from PNS/Pensacola, so the game could be the bookend to a larger trip. ATL is likely the best bet given both the option for the game to move to Macon (a little over an hour southeast of ATL) and flight availability, but if you’re thinking about heading in via BNA give me a shout.

Additionally, for those looking to add more sports, and depending on your arrival location, the Braves host the Mets that weekend, the Nashville Sounds (AAA affiliate of the Brewers) are home as well, but the Montgomery Biscuits (AA affiliate of the Rays) are on the road. The Falcons and Titans may have a home preseason game that Friday, the former more likely than the latter since Atlanta will have 2 home preseason games this coming season.

I’ve also begun to look into hotels and there are a number of options in Montgomery depending on chain and desired amenities. Downtown is a little over a mile west of the stadium (borderline walkable depending on weather). Per the 2024 information, parking is anywhere from free to $20, with a shuttle service provided as well. Alternatively, there are two hotels within a block of Mercer’s stadium in Macon.

It looks like the matchup is officially announced in February or March, with ticket information to be announced at a later date (the date of which I have not been able to track down). 2024 information is still posted on the game’s website. Highlights include sponsorship packages with GA tickets starting at $2,500 (hmmm…), GA tickets going for $20, and VIP options (field suite with GA tickets to lounge and suite opportunities) listed at $70 to $100 per person (the latter if a group of 50 can be cobbled together).

https://ucdavisaggies.com/news/2025/1/13/football-opens-2025-with-week-0-match-up-face-mercer-in-2025-fcs-kickoff-classic.aspx

In case it was missed, here's the official release.

Appears Davis will be the 'home' team for this one.