Kentucky vs Florida is a major SEC matchup in both college football and basketball. In football, Florida leads the all-time series, while Kentucky has won the last two meetings.
The next football game is scheduled for November 14, 2026, at Kroger Field in Lexington. In basketball.
Kentucky has the larger historical advantage, although Florida has recently dominated the matchup.
Key Takeaways:
- Kentucky vs Florida football returns to Lexington on November 14, 2026.
- Florida leads the football series 5422, according to Florida’s official opponent history.
- Kentucky won the latest football meeting 387 in 2025.
- Kentucky leads the men’s basketball series 11145 entering the 2026-27 season.
- Florida won all three meetings with Kentucky during the 2025-26 basketball season.
Kentucky vs Florida Football: 2026 Matchup
The football matchup is the main reason many fans search for Kentucky vs Florida. The two SEC programs have played each other regularly for decades, creating a rivalry with a surprisingly dramatic history.
The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky. Both schools list the game as a night-window matchup, with kickoff expected between 6 and 8 p.m. Eastern, although the exact kickoff time remains to be announced.
That makes the 2026 game especially interesting because Kentucky will host Florida for the second consecutive season. The 2025 meeting also took place in Lexington, where the Wildcats produced one of their biggest recent wins over the Gators.
Date, Location and Schedule
| Detail | Kentucky vs Florida 2026 |
| Date | November 14, 2026 |
| Sport | College football |
| Conference | SEC |
| Location | Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky |
| Home team | Kentucky |
| Kickoff window | 68 p.m. ET |
| Exact kickoff | To be announced |
Florida’s official schedule confirms that the Gators will travel to Kentucky on November 14. Kentucky’s schedule lists Florida as a home SEC opponent on the same date.
Recent Football Results
The recent series has been much more competitive than the historical record suggests.
In 2025, Kentucky defeated Florida 387 at Kroger Field. Kentucky scored 21 second-quarter points and added another 14 after halftime while holding Florida scoreless after the opening quarter.
The Wildcats also won the 2023 meeting 3314. Florida responded in 2024 with a 4820 victory in Gainesville before Kentucky returned home and dominated the Gators in 2025.
That recent sequence shows why the modern Kentucky-Florida football matchup is considerably more competitive than the older history.
Kentucky vs Florida Football Head-to-Head History
The football series dates back to 1917, when Kentucky defeated Florida 520 in the first meeting. Since then, the Gators have built a substantial overall advantage.
Florida currently leads the official series 5422. The Gators’ official opponent-history page lists 76 meetings through the 2025 season.
| Football category | Kentucky | Florida |
| All-time wins | 22 | 54 |
| Series lead | — | Florida |
| Most recent meeting | 387 win, 2025 | 738 loss, 2025 |
| Largest victory | 520, 1917 | 737, 1994 |
Florida’s 31-Game Winning Streak
For decades, the series heavily favored Florida.
The Gators won 31 consecutive games from 1987 through 2017, one of the longest winning streaks in major college football history. That streak finally ended when Kentucky beat Florida 2716 in 2018.
Since then, Kentucky has been much more successful against the Gators. The Wildcats have produced several important wins, including victories in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025. Florida’s 2024 win prevented Kentucky from completely taking control of the recent series.
Recent Shift in the Rivalry
The change is one of the most interesting parts of Kentucky vs Florida.
For much of the modern era, Florida entered the matchup with a major historical and competitive advantage. Kentucky’s recent wins, however, have made the annual SEC meeting much less predictable.
The 2025 result was particularly significant because Kentucky forced four Florida turnovers and controlled the game after Florida scored the opening touchdown.
The 2026 meeting will therefore be another opportunity for both programs to establish momentum in the modern version of the rivalry.
Kentucky vs Florida Basketball
If someone searches Kentucky vs Florida during college basketball season, the intent can be completely different.
Kentucky and Florida have one of the more notable basketball matchups in the SEC. Historically, Kentucky has controlled the series, but Florida has had stretches of major success.
During the 2025-26 season, the teams met three times.
Florida won 9283 in Gainesville on February 14, 2026. The Gators then won 8477 in Lexington on March 7 before defeating Kentucky 7163 in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on March 13.
Kentucky’s official postgame notes list the all-time basketball series at 11145 in Kentucky’s favor following the March 2026 SEC Tournament meeting.
2025-26 Basketball Results
| Date | Location | Result |
| Feb. 14, 2026 | Gainesville | Florida 92, Kentucky 83 |
| Mar. 7, 2026 | Lexington | Florida 84, Kentucky 77 |
| Mar. 13, 2026 | Nashville, SEC Tournament | Florida 71, Kentucky 63 |
The final meeting was especially important because it came in the SEC Tournament. Florida advanced after limiting Kentucky to 35.6% shooting from the field and winning the rebounding battle 5029.
Why Is Kentucky vs Florida a Rivalry?
The rivalry has grown largely because the schools have repeatedly faced each other as SEC opponents.
In football, the teams have played annually since 1967, making the matchup a familiar part of the SEC schedule. Florida’s long dominance created one of the defining storylines, while Kentucky’s resurgence since 2018 has added another chapter.
Basketball has its own history. Kentucky’s traditionally elite basketball program has generally held the upper hand, while Florida has produced stretches of success, including an unusual period in which the Gators defeated Kentucky seven straight times.
So, although football and basketball tell different stories, both contribute to the overall Kentucky-Florida rivalry.
Kentucky vs Florida: Football vs Basketball
The easiest way to understand the matchup is to separate the two sports.
| Factor | Football | Men’s Basketball |
| Historical leader | Florida | Kentucky |
| Recent 2025-26 result | Kentucky won 387 | Florida won all 3 meetings |
| Next known matchup | Nov. 14, 2026 | 2026-27 schedule continues in 2027 |
| Main venue | Kroger Field / Ben Hill Griffin Stadium | Rupp Arena / Exactech Arena |
| Conference | SEC | SEC |
The contrast is what makes Kentucky vs Florida such an interesting search topic. Florida has the stronger historical football record, while Kentucky has the stronger historical basketball record.
At the same time, recent results show that historical records do not necessarily tell the whole story.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Kentucky vs Florida football in 2026?
Kentucky and Florida are scheduled to play on November 14, 2026, at Kroger Field in Lexington. The game is listed in the night window, meaning kickoff is expected between 6 and 8 p.m. Eastern, but the exact time has not yet been announced.
Who leads the Kentucky vs Florida football series?
Florida leads the all-time football series. Florida’s official opponent history lists the Gators with 54 wins to Kentucky’s 22 through the 2025 meeting. However, Kentucky won the latest matchup 387.
What was the latest Kentucky vs Florida football score?
Kentucky defeated Florida 387 on November 8, 2025, at Kroger Field. Kentucky scored 21 points in the second quarter and added two more touchdowns after halftime.
Who leads the Kentucky vs Florida basketball series?
Kentucky leads the men’s basketball series 11145 according to Kentucky’s official postgame notes from the March 13, 2026 SEC Tournament meeting. However, Florida won all three meetings between the teams during the 2025-26 season.
Final Takeaway:
Kentucky vs Florida is a matchup with two very different historical stories.
Florida has the clear advantage in football, including a 31-game winning streak that lasted from 1987 through 2017. Kentucky, however, has changed the recent direction of the series and won the latest meeting 387 in 2025.
In basketball, the picture is reversed. Kentucky owns the much stronger all-time record, although Florida swept the three meetings during the 2025-26 season.
The next football chapter comes on November 14, 2026, in Lexington, giving both teams another chance to shape the modern rivalry.
I’m Ernest Hemingway, the creator and content expert behind EmojiAura.com, a platform dedicated to exploring emoji meanings, digital trends, and creative expression online. I enjoy helping people understand the hidden emotions and messages behind emojis while making online conversations more fun, expressive, and engaging.
