MIRAMAR BEACH — Southeastern Conference officials voted to eliminate late-season non-conference football matchups, commonly referred to as 'cupcake' games, starting in 2027. Beginning that year, SEC schools will exclusively play conference games during the penultimate week of the regular season.

The move follows the SEC's expansion of its conference football schedule from eight to nine games, which takes effect in the 2026 season. SEC athletic directors unanimously voted to require a conference game during the second-to-last week of the regular season, formalizing the end of a longstanding scheduling practice.

In the past, SEC teams used the penultimate week of the season to play lower-level opponents, which served as a de facto recovery week before rivalry games. Over the last three years, SEC teams played 17 nonconference games and only 13 conference games during that week. They went 16-1 in those nonconference matchups, all against FCS or Group of Six opponents. In the 2025 season alone, three SEC teams faced FCS opponents that week, winning by an average score of 55-6, while three others defeated Group of Six teams by an average of 33-7.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey stated the decision to end late-season non-conference games was tied more to scheduling structure than to criticism of the practice. "That's the end of cupcake weekend. We never got that one sponsored, though," Sankey said.

The change aligns with broader conference scheduling adjustments. Each SEC school will play three annual conference opponents, including traditional rivals, and six rotating opponents from the remaining schools in the 16-team conference. SEC teams are also required to schedule at least one nonconference game against a power conference opponent.

Several schools have already altered future schedules to accommodate the new format. Alabama canceled a home-and-home football series with West Virginia, while Florida scrapped previously scheduled series against NC State and California. Texas also canceled a home-and-home series with Arizona State that was set to begin in 2032.

The decision to eliminate late-season 'cupcake' games is intended to strengthen teams' resumes for College Football Playoff consideration.