AUBURN — A schedule change came to Auburn football 's 2026 slate on Monday, Oct. 6, and some criticism followed, as the Tigers' season-opener against Baylor won't be played at Jordan-Hare Stadium .

Instead, the game's heading east, as the Tigers and Bears will face off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The program will take part in the Aflac Kickoff Game, creating "a first-of-its-kind opportunity for Auburn student-athletes to engage in name, image and likeness (NIL) activations tied directly to ticket sales ... and surrounding events," according to a release.

Auburn coach Hugh Freeze was asked about the switch Monday on the Tiger Talk coaches radio show, justifying a move that wipes a true home game from next season's slate.

"I hope people hear me on this: I'm not in all

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