Citrus Bowl

The Citrus Bowl (official name is Orlando-Orange County Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium) is a stadium in Orlando, Florida, USA, built for American football and currently seating around 70,000. Its main occupant is the football program at the University of Central Florida, and the facility also hosts two college bowl games annually, the Champs Sports and Capital One Bowls.

Related Topics:
Stadium - Orlando, Florida - USA - American football - University of Central Florida - Champs Sports - Capital One Bowl

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The stadium opened in 1936, with a capacity of 10,000. The first college football game was played at the stadium on January 1, 1947. Catawba defeated Maryville 31-6. Two thousand more seats were added in 1952 and an additional five thousand more in 1968, along with the facilities first press box. From 1974-76 the capacity was raised to 52,000. The current capacity was established in 1989, with a $38 million USD renovation that added the upper decks and raised the seating to 66,438. In 1983, the Florida Department of Citrus was added as a title sponsor for the facility, at a price of $250,000 USD.

Related Topics:
1936 - January 1 - 1947 - 1952 - 1968 - 1974 - 76 - 1989 - USD - 1983

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From 1999 to 2002, key stadium improvements included the addition of contour seating, two escalators, and a new 107 foot wide video screen. A new sound system along with two full-color displays along the upper decks were also added.

Related Topics:
1999 - 2002 - Escalators - Video

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Its playing surface is large enough for use in international soccer matches, and it was a venue for the 1994 World Cup. Also in 1996 Olympic soccer matches were held at the stadium. Many NFL preseason football games have been held at the stadium, most recently a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets in 1997.

Related Topics:
Soccer - 1994 World Cup - 1996 - Olympic - NFL - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - New York Jets - 1997

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Several concerts have been held at the stadium, including The Who, Genesis, Pink Floyd, George Michael, Paul McCartney, Guns 'n Roses, Billy Joel/Elton John, Van Halen, and The Eagles. The most recent was The Rolling Stones in December 1997. The Super Bowl of Motorsports monster truck rally also makes an annual January visit.

Related Topics:
The Who - Genesis - Pink Floyd - George Michael - Paul McCartney - Guns 'n Roses - Billy Joel - Elton John - Van Halen - The Eagles - The Rolling Stones - 1997 - Monster truck - January

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Local Orlando high school football rivals Jones High School and Evans High School play the annual "Soul Bowl" at the facility. The Walt Disney World Florida Classic, a rivalry football game between Florida A & M and Bethune-Cookman is held annually in November. The 2003 game holds the stadium all-time record for attendance.

Related Topics:
High school - Walt Disney World - Florida A & M - Bethune-Cookman - November - 2003

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The attendance record for a UCF football game was set November 11, 2000. A crowd of 50,220 watched Virgina Tech defeat UCF 44-21.

Related Topics:
UCF - November 11 - 2000 - Virgina Tech

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The attendance record for the XFL Orlando Rage was set on opening night, February 3, 2001. A crowd of 35,603 watched Orlando defeat the Chicago Enforcers 33-29. Subsequent home games at the Citrus Bowl were not able to match that attendance mark. The XFL ultimately folded after one season.

Related Topics:
XFL - Orlando Rage - February 3 - 2001 - Chicago Enforcers

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Former tenants include the Orlando Renegades (USFL) in 1985 , the Orlando Thunder (WLAF) from 1991-1992, and the Orlando Rage (XFL) in 2001.

Related Topics:
Orlando Renegades - USFL - 1985 - Orlando Thunder - WLAF - 1991 - 1992 - Orlando Rage - XFL - 2001

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The Florida Citrus Bowl was the site of filming of the 1998 movie The Waterboy, and home of the fictional team Orlando Breakers of the 1989-1997 television show Coach.

Related Topics:
1998 - The Waterboy - 1989 - 1997 - Television

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Adjacent to the stadium is 5,100-seat Tinker Field, a baseball-only ballpark, built in 1914. In 1999 the Orlando Rays, a minor-league baseball team, moved out, and left the ballpark vacant. An amateur soccer field is also located on stadium property.

Related Topics:
Tinker Field - Baseball - Ballpark - 1914 - 1999 - Orlando Rays - Soccer

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