Auburn-Baylor 2026 game moved to Atlanta for ‘creative’ NIL opportunity
The 2026 Auburn-Baylor matchup will take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Now being played as the Aflac Kickoff Game on Sept. 5, the SEC-Big 12 contest moved to Atlanta to take advantage of “a first-of-its-kind opportunity for Auburn student-athletes,” according to the release sent Monday from Peach Bowl Inc., the organizer of the sponsored kickoff game.
The decision moves the game away from Auburn, the host team, as part of a home-and-home series and will allow game organizers to “utilize third-party entities to secure marketing assets and promotional appearances by Auburn student-athletes.”
The athletes will promote the game, ticket sales and related events.
According to On3, Auburn could see a benefit of up to $8 million in NIL revenue for its athletes.
“Any time we have the ability to advance Auburn student-athletes’ ability to earn third-party NIL compensation, we will take that opportunity,” Auburn athletic director John Cohen said in the release.
“We worked in partnership with Auburn to create a new model for neutral-site games — one that moves the chains financially for the universities and student-athletes," Peach Bowl Inc. chief operating officer David Epps said in the release.
While this will be Auburn’s fourth time playing in the kickoff game, it will be Baylor’s first appearance. The last time the Bears played in Atlanta was against Georgia Tech in 1993.
About the Author
