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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Third Saturday in October will look a bit different this year and next.
The Alabama Crimson Tide and Tennessee Volunteers have announced that in Knoxville in 2026 and in Tuscaloosa in 2027, both teams will wear their home jerseys .
This year's matchup on Oct. 17 will mark 56 years to the day since the last time both teams donned home jerseys for the matchup, a game that was played in Knoxville.
"This series is built on decades of tradition, and we're excited to bring back a piece of its history beginning this season," Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne said in the school's release. "This required collaboration from both schools and the Southeastern Conference, and I'm thankful to President Mohler, Tennessee's administration, including AD Danny White, and the league office for their support and willingness to work together. We believe this will make an already special rivalry even more enjoyable for our teams and our fans."
"The Third Saturday in October stands alone in college football , and we are excited to restore one of its most iconic traditions as both teams wear their home jerseys," added Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White in his school's announcement . "I'm grateful to Alabama AD Greg Byrne and his staff for their shared commitment to bringing this experience back to the fans of one of the sport's greatest rivalries."
Tennessee has actually never worn orange in Tuscaloosa, as for many years, the game was played at Legion Field in Birmingham.
In 2027, though, Alabama fans will get a chance to see that orange you can't sit with in person without crossing the state line for the first time since 1969.
"The Alabama-Tennessee rivalry is one of the most historic in all of college football ," Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said. "I know how much this game means to our fans, and the tradition and pageantry surrounding it is second to none. This will be another unique element that makes the 'Third Saturday in October' so special to both universities."
The Third Saturday is indeed special, having been played every year since since 1928 with one exception: 1943, when World War II canceled the season.
Alabama has an edge all time with a record of 61-39-8, making the 2026 edition the 109th meeting between the teams.
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