The game will be played Sept. 1, 2018 in the Orlando's Citrus Bowl.
The deal calls for Alabama to be paid $4.5 million for participation. ESPN reports Louisville will receive just $2.75 million, but Alabama's share is considerably less than what it'll receive for the next two season-openers. The school will be paid $6 million for the 2016 opener with USC in Arlington and $5 million for the 2017 game with Florida State in Atlanta.
It's not uncommon for one school to be paid more than the other for a game like this. Alabama's contract with the Dallas Cowboys for that guarantees it'll be paid at least $1 million more than its opponent (USC) for the 2016 opener. Both Alabama and FSU will receive identical $5 million checks for the 2017 game.