Auburn shifts 2026 game vs. Baylor to Atlanta for NIL boost

Auburn shifted its 2026 matchup with Baylor from Jordan-Hare Stadium to the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, set for Sept. 5, 2026, the school announced Monday.

The game had been slated as the Tigers' home date in the home-and-home series following the 2025 meeting in the season opener in Waco, Texas. As part of the new arrangement, the Peach Bowl and Aflac Kickoff will tie event promotions to name, image and likeness opportunities for Auburn players.

"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. "The exposure of playing on a national stage against a Power Four opponent in one of the premier neutral-site games in the country will not only benefit our student-athletes financially, but it will also enhance their brands."

Peach Bowl, Inc. COO David Epps called the plan a new template for neutral-site games.

"As college football adapts to the new NIL world, we have to find creative ways to make sure everyone gets a win in games like these," Epps said. "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."

The Tigers last played in Atlanta in 2018 and have appeared in the kickoff event three times previously (2012, 2015, 2018). The move trims Auburn's 2026 home slate to six contests (Southern Miss, Jacksonville State, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Florida and LSU).

Auburn and Baylor opened this season in Waco, where the Tigers won 38-24. The series dates to 1954 and stands 2-2-1 after that result.

--Field Level Media