The Seminoles are set to open their 2026 campaign on the road, traveling to Gainesville to meet the Florida Gators on August 23 at 2 p.m. The matchup will also mark Florida State’s first national TV appearance on the SEC Network, broadcast from Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
Ranked No. 3 in the IWSOC DI Coaches Poll and No. 1 by Top Drawer Soccer, Florida State arrives with a perfect 3‑0 start and a 36‑game unbeaten streak against non‑conference opponents that stretches back to the middle of the 2019 season.
A rivalry that spans decades
The contest adds another layer to a historic series that dates back to 1995, with the Seminoles holding an all‑time record of 18‑13‑0 against the Gators. Florida, meanwhile, sits at 1‑1‑0 in 2026 after a 3‑2 win over Coastal Carolina and remains unbeaten at home.
Key contributors for Florida State include senior forward Tanner Strickland, who has already tallied two goals and an assist for a total of five points, and junior forward Wrianna Hudson, who leads the team with nine shots on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Kate Ockene also extended her shutout streak to four games, helping the squad record its third consecutive clean sheet.
Looking ahead, Florida State will pause for ten days before heading to Georgia on September 3, where the game will stream on ESPNU, and then return home to host Rice on September 6 at noon. The schedule provides the team with a brief window to fine‑tune tactics ahead of the next phase of the season.