Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland have a long‑standing football rivalry that dates back to 1919, meeting 32 times over the decades.
In a recent scheduling overhaul, the two schools announced that the contests slated for 2027 in Blacksburg and 2028 in College Park will be removed from the slate, while the 2026 meeting in College Park and the 2029 showdown in Blacksburg will remain on the calendar.
Flexibility and Home‑Field Benefits Drive the Realignment
The reshaped series is intended to give Virginia Tech greater flexibility in constructing its future schedules, allowing the program to insert additional home games and better align with the Atlantic Coast Conference’s scheduling preferences.
Director of Athletics Whit Babcock said the changes are designed to serve the Hokies’ football program and its fan base, emphasizing the importance of regional matchups that draw strong attendance and regional interest.
Head Coach James Franklin echoed the sentiment, noting that the retained games provide valuable competitive opportunities while preserving the tradition of the rivalry.
Both universities expressed satisfaction with the adjustments, highlighting the continued significance of the Virginia‑Maryland rivalry within the ACC and the broader college‑football landscape.